Interactive virtual thematic environment

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a method of integrating information, including real-time information, into a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, including accessing the stored information from a database or downloading the real-time information from a source external to the thematic environment; inserting the real-time information into the thematic environment; and displaying the information to a user within the thematic environment. In one embodiment, the computer system is connected to a holographic projection system such that the images from the thematic environment can be projected as holographic projections. The computer system includes an interactive software application platform having at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains thematic environment rules; at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the thematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that the content is manipulated and accessed by any device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/805,415 filed Mar. 22, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No.7,373,377, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/272,408, filed Oct. 16, 2002, the contents of bothapplications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an interactive software applicationplatform which can be used in entertainment, business, publishing, andother applications to provide a virtual and real world experience to theuser by integrating audio, video, two dimensional (2D), and threedimensional (3D) technology, and other applications or services.

2. Description of the Related Art

Virtual environments are increasingly of interest to users forentertainment (i.e. games) and educational purposes. Based on thisincrease, the business world is finding new ways to access users throughvirtual environments, for product placement and to offer services. Inaddition, the use of virtual environments to illustrate medicalprocedures etc., or for business training purposes, are used routinely.

However, the virtual environments, especially those present on theinternet, for example, have not provided the user with a real worldexperience. Accordingly, a way to integrate audio, video, 2D and 3Dtechnology in order to maximize the real world experience for the user,is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an interactive software applicationplatform which can be used in entertainment, business, publishing, andother applications to provide a virtual and real world experience to theuser by integrating audio, video, two dimensional (2D), and threedimensional (3D) technology, and other applications or services.

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, a method ofintegrating real-time information into a virtual thematic environmentusing a computer system, includes downloading real-time information froma source external to the virtual thematic environment; insertingreal-time information into the virtual thematic environment; andproviding access to the real-time information to a user within thevirtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thereal-time information is at least one of audio, video, chronological,text, and GPS, and the real-time information is provided to the user viaa mobile device.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thereal-time information is product placement information from a sponsor.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, theexternal source is the internet and the real-time information isretrieved via cable or satellite.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the user isprovided with mini-applications within the virtual thematic environmentwhich operate in real-time with real-time information.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thereal-time information is language translation.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the virtualthematic environment is holographically projected.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a method ofintegrating information into a virtual thematic environment using acomputer system, includes accessing a database where the information isstored; retrieving the information from the database; inserting theinformation into the virtual thematic environment; and displaying theinformation to a user within the virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the virtualthematic environment is a game.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a method ofproviding product placement in a virtual thematic environment using acomputer system, includes retrieving information on a sponsored productfrom a database where product information is stored; and displaying thesponsored product within the virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the methodfurther includes providing a selection mechanism to a user such that theproduct can be accessed by use of the selection mechanism; andautomatically providing the product information on the product to theuser after selection of the product.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention,automatically providing the product information includes the step of:automatically directing the user to a website which provides informationon the product.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the methodfurther includes returning the user to the virtual thematic environmentat a point where the user left the virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the methodfurther includes tracking movements and purchases of the user at eachwebsite visited by the user and within the virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thecomputer system of the present invention has a program for integratingreal-time information into a virtual thematic environment, includingmeans for downloading real-time information from a source external tothe virtual thematic environment; means for inserting the real-timeinformation into the virtual thematic environment; and means forproviding access to the real-time information to a user within thevirtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thecomputer system of the present invention has a program for integratinginformation into a virtual thematic environment using a computerizedsystem, including means for accessing a database where the informationis stored; means for retrieving the information from said database;means for inserting the information into the virtual thematicenvironment; and means for displaying the information to a user withinthe virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thecomputer system of the present invention has a program for providingproduct placement in a virtual thematic environment using a computerizedsystem, including means for retrieving information on a sponsoredproduct from a database where product information is stored; and meansfor displaying the sponsored product within the virtual thematicenvironment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thecomputer system of the present invention integrates real-timeinformation into a virtual thematic environment, and includes at leastone memory containing at least one program including the steps of:downloading real-time information from a source external to the virtualthematic environment; inserting said real-time information into thevirtual thematic environment; and providing access to the real-timeinformation to a user within the virtual thematic environment; and atleast one processor for running the program.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thecomputer system of the present invention integrates information into avirtual thematic environment, and includes at least one memory having atleast one program including the steps of: accessing a database where theinformation is stored; retrieving the information from said database;inserting the information into the virtual thematic environment; anddisplaying the information to a user within the virtual thematicenvironment; and at least one processor for running the program.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thecomputer system of the present invention provides product placement in avirtual thematic environment, including at least one memory having atleast one program including the steps of: retrieving information on asponsored product from a database where product information is stored;and displaying the sponsored product within the virtual thematicenvironment; and at least one processor for running the program.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a method ofintegrating holographic images into a virtual thematic environment usinga computerized system, includes displaying images from a virtualthematic environment; and projecting the images as holographicprojections using a holographic projection system.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the methodfurther includes integrating audio and video into the holographicprojections.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the methodfurther includes integrating real-time information into the virtualthematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the methodfurther includes tracking a location of a user within theholographically projected virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thetracking is performed using a GPS system.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the methodfurther includes integrating at least one of a voice recognition system,a synthetic smell system, a weather system, and a GPS system into theholographically projected virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a computersystem having a program for integrating holographic images into avirtual thematic environment using a computerized system, includes meansfor displaying images from a virtual thematic environment; and means forprojecting the images as holographic projections using a holographicprojection system.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a computersystem for integrating holographic images into a virtual thematicenvironment using a computerized system, includes at least one memoryhaving at least one program including the steps of: displaying imagesfrom a virtual thematic environment; and projecting the images asholographic projections using a holographic projection system; and atleast one processor for running the program.

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, an apparatusfor providing holographic images into a virtual thematic environment,includes a computer system which runs a program including displayingimages from a virtual thematic environment; and a holographic projectionsystem which projects the virtual thematic environment as holographicimages.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, theapparatus further includes an integration of at least one of audio,video, a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weathersystem, and a GPS system into the holographically projected virtualthematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, theapparatus further includes a plurality of sensors to track movement of auser within the virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, real-timeinformation is integrated into the virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a computersystem having an interactive software application platform for providinga virtual thematic environment, includes at least onethematic/publishing logic module which contains virtual thematicenvironment rules; at least one digital content library module whichprovides content management on the virtual thematic environment; and atleast one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interpretscontent such that the content is manipulated and accessed by any device.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the systemfurther includes at least one graphical user interface (GUI) module; atleast one business logic module directed to accounting, sponsor andusers, transactions, and collecting content in real-time and injectingthe content into the virtual thematic environment; and at least one datastorage.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the systemfurther includes at least one communication module which provides accessto various network services and connection options.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a computersystem for providing a virtual thematic environment, includes at leastone memory having at least one program including the steps of:retrieving information on the virtual thematic environment; insertingsaid information into the virtual thematic environment; and displayingthe information to a user within the virtual thematic environment; andat least one processor for running the program.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, there is acomputer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system tointegrate real-time information into a virtual thematic environment, thecomputer system having a program including the steps of: downloadingreal-time information from a source external to the virtual thematicenvironment; inserting the real-time information into the virtualthematic environment; and providing access to the real-time informationto a user within the virtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, there is acomputer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system tointegrate information into a virtual thematic environment, the computersystem having a program including the steps of: accessing a databasewhere the information is stored; retrieving the information from thedatabase; inserting the information into the virtual thematicenvironment; and displaying the information to a user within the virtualthematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, there is acomputer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system toprovide product placement in a virtual thematic environment, thecomputer system having a program including the steps of: retrievinginformation on a sponsored product from a database where productinformation is stored; and displaying the sponsored product within thevirtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, there is acomputer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system tointegrate holographic images into a virtual thematic environment, thecomputer system having a program including the steps of: displayingimages from a virtual thematic environment; and projecting the images asholographic projections using a holographic projection system.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, anapparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematicenvironment, includes a computer system which runs a program includingdisplaying images from a virtual thematic environment, the computersystem including: at least one thematic/publishing logic module whichcontains virtual thematic environment rules; at least one digitalcontent library module which provides content management on the virtualthematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE)module which interprets content such that the content is manipulated andaccessed by any device; a holographic projection system which projectsthe virtual thematic environment as holographic images; and at least oneof audio, video, a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, aweather system, and a GPS system into the holographically projectedvirtual thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, anapparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematicenvironment, includes a room containing a plurality of display screens;a computer system which runs a program including displaying images froma virtual thematic environment, the computer system including: at leastone thematic/publishing logic module which contains virtual thematicenvironment rules; at least one digital content library module whichprovides content management on the virtual thematic environment; and atleast one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interpretscontent such that the content is manipulated and accessed by any device;a projection system which projects the virtual thematic environment asimages on the displays screens; and a user-accessible control panelwhich provides access to the computer system.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, anapparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematicenvironment, includes a room containing a plurality of sensors for atleast tracking movement of a user through said room; a computer systemwhich runs a program including displaying images from a virtual thematicenvironment, the computer system including: at least onethematic/publishing logic module which contains virtual thematicenvironment rules; at least one digital content library module whichprovides content management on the virtual thematic environment; and atleast one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interpretscontent such that the content is manipulated and accessed by any device;and a holographic projection system which projects the virtual thematicenvironment as holographic images in the room.

Thus been outlined, some features consistent with the present inventionin order that the detailed description thereof that follows may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional featuresconsistent with the present invention that will be described below andwhich will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment consistentwith the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. Methods andapparatuses consistent with the present invention are capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein, as well as the abstract included below, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing one embodiment of the six-level logicalarchitecture of an interactive software platform consistent with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing one embodiment of the interactive softwareplatform consistent with the present invention, in a client-serverarrangement.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a client-side server, according to oneembodiment of the interactive software platform consistent with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing one embodiment of the interactive softwareplatform of the present invention, in a server-side arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing one embodiment of the interactive softwareplatform of the present invention, in a client-side arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing a cinematic room according to oneembodiment of the interactive software platform consistent with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing a warehouse environment according to oneembodiment of the interactive software platform consistent with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an interactive software applicationplatform which can be used in entertainment, business, publishing, andother applications to provide a virtual and real world experience to theuser by integrating audio, video, 2D and 3D technology, and othertechnologies that may enhance the user's experience. In particular, theprogram of the present invention injects real time data, such as sportsscores, live sports events, film, news, etc., into a virtual thematicenvironment which includes both audio and video, and also integratesmini-applications, such as word processing, mutual fund calculators,spreadsheets, static purchasing (i.e., static e-commerce applications,and any other type of application that can be scaled or as a demo),e-mail, and the like, into the virtual thematic environment, without anoticeable delay. The present system can be both a rich graphicenvironment, and may also include a holographic system and technology,mirror imaging technology, and high-level algorithms. The presentinvention can provide a virtual 2D and/or 3D environment, which caninclude not just audio, music and video, but sensitivity to touch, thesensing of odors etc., so that the user can experience a real worldenvironment in which the user can move through in real-time.

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, a thematiccomputerized environment, such as the gaming environment described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/272,408, can be accessed by one ormore users over the internet. The user enters the thematic environment,whether it is a game, or a particular website, such as a museum website,store, school, hospital etc., and is taken into a 3D virtual world.

For example, in the gaming environment, the 3D world can be sectionedinto unique “zones” which could be geographic, related to hobbies,interest groups, or a specific game genre. In a geographic environment,for example, the program would request that the user choose a city, andthe program would take the user to a starting point in that city. Realworld photographs, including satellite photographs, video, and/or 2Dand/or 3D graphics would provide the cityscape. Once the user, whetherin first person or third person view, is at the starting point at aparticular city street, the program would allow the user to move throughthe 2D and/or 3D and/or integrated graphical representation of theactual real world environment and interact with it.

Since product placement is one feature consistent with the presentinvention, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/272,408,the storefronts viewed by the user at the starting point on a citystreet, for example, could be representations of actual stores, such ascoffee stores, bookstores, etc., which are “rented” by the corporatesponsors. If the user decides to “enter” a bookstore by using the mouseto “hot click” on the bookstore front, for example, or by any otherselection means (i.e., voice recognition mechanism, keyboard, etc.), theprogram can automatically direct the user to the bookstore website,where the user may purchase books, look up information and or “grab” anitem to be used in the game, or gain intelligence on those products orinformational data etc. The program will provide the user with an icon,URL address etc., so that the user can return to the virtual world whendesired.

Alternatively, the user may “enter” a coffee store and the program willprovide a representation of the actual store to the user. If the user“hot clicks” the mouse, for example, on a particular item, such as a bagof ground coffee, the user can be directed to the coffee store or coffeemanufacturer website, for example, for product information andpurchasing information.

Although storefronts have been discussed above with respect to productplacement, product placements within the virtual environment are notjust with respect to real estate, but can be any type of real world itemvisible or accessible to a user, whether passive or interactive. Forexample, passive advertising or product placement is the use ofbillboards, banners, storefronts or restaurant fronts. Interactiveproduct placement includes experiencing the product itself in thevirtual world (i.e., taking and reading a newspaper from a newspapermachine, or a magazine from a magazine stand, driving an automobileparked on the street, turning on a radio to listen to a particular radiostation, typing into a computer, using a PDA, turning on a TV set,flying in or piloting an aircraft, etc.).

As stated above, in the interactive product placement, the user can “hotclick” on an automobile on the street, for example, and then the programwill direct the user to a real world website, such as the automobilemanufacturer's sponsored website, to review the latest car models, oreven make a purchase. As stated above, the user can return to thevirtual world via an icon, URL address, etc., to recommence in thevirtual world, at the moment the user left the environment for thesponsored website.

While at the sponsor's website, the program may initiate the user toperform certain actions (i.e, visiting certain sites, being first atthose sites, following certain directions, completing an educational orinformational quiz, participate in an auction etc.) before returning tothe virtual world, and before advancing in that world (i.e., beforeadvancing in game play, if the virtual world is a game). Another exampleof actions initiated at the sponsored website and/or throughout thethematic application, such as a game, are the listing and answering ofclues, etc. A timing mechanism can be added to the program such thatthese actions must be performed within a certain period of time or on acompetitive level with one or more opponents (other users).

Depending upon the sponsors, and the thematic storyline, the points thatare achieved at the sponsored website for the required actions, can beredeemed for cash rewards, prizes, coupons etc., either at the sponsor'swebsite, and at other websites in the real world (i.e., to obtainconcert tickets, clothing etc.), or within the virtual worldenvironment.

The user is not only required to use real world credit cards to purchaseitems at sponsored websites accessed through the virtual worldenvironment, but may also be directed by the program to either a realworld or a virtual world store to purchase items needed within thevirtual world (i.e., supplies needed in a game environment), using avirtual credit card.

The program keeps statistical information on all the sites accessed bythe user, purchases made, and tracks movement within the thematicenvironment and real-world websites, etc., so that the sponsors can beprovided with statistical data on the users for marketing purposes.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the virtualenvironment can be a travel website, for example, such that when theuser accesses different cities, the program can take the user to thatcity so that the user can have the real world experience of walking downa street and seeing the actual buildings that would be represented inthe real world environment. The user may be able to enter a building ina thematic environment such as a store, hotel, or museum and can viewthe surroundings as if walking through the real world building. The usermay be able to “enter” a museum gift shop, for example, using aselection means (i.e., hot click using a mouse, voice recognition etc.),and then the program may direct the user to the website of the museumgift shop such that the user may make real world purchases, for example.

In other applications which integrate audio and video into the virtualthematic environment, the user may “enter” a store, for example, and beable to choose a DVD or a CD, and make a particular video or musicalselection, and the program will show the video in the virtual thematicenvironment and play the audio over the user's computer system. Thus,the user may be able to watch films, movies, etc. on a screen, forexample, within the thematic environment. It is also a part of thepresent invention that TV programs, videos, etc., are available andrunning within the thematic environment, and visible to the user,without any interaction from the user.

Thus, the user can choose to change the TV program being shown, or themusic being played in the thematic environment, by accessing the optionsavailable (i.e., displayed on the screen). The choice of TV program ormusic, etc., may be through corporate sponsorship (i.e., productplacement) and thematic environment setup for that particular geographiclocation.

In other applications, the user may “hot click” on a poster or a staticphoto, and the program will access a database to show the subject of theposter or photo (for example, a rock band, models in a fashion show,sports figures, racing cars, etc.) in a video, or other 3D action.

Further, in another embodiment consistent with the present invention,the user may keep, for example, a radio, Global Positioning System(GPS), clock, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and other devices on theuser's desktop while the user is interacting with the thematicenvironment. Each of these devices can be turned on/off or removed bythe user from the main viewing screen, or enlarged on the screen, whendesired.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the virtualthematic environment can interface with a GPS system, which will showthe user a map showing the user's (or any other) location, and providedetails down to street and house. The program will allow the user toview either real world satellite maps/street photographs, etc., or avirtual representation of the same, showing buildings, grounds,landmarks etc. The user, in a tie-in with the product placement andother information, can “hot click” on a building, for example, andinformation, such as description, telephone number, directions,sponsored information etc., can be provided on that building.

In other integrations between real world and virtual world environmentswhich take place in real time, real time data is downloaded by theprogram and provided to the user in the virtual environment. Forexample, real time information, such as sports scores, stock prices, andauction information, can be provided in an appropriate manner in thevirtual thematic environment (i.e., on TV screens, computer screens, bycell phone etc.). In addition, the program allows real time video to bereceived and viewed in the virtual environment, such as TV programs,sports games, film concerts, etc., from satellite and cable systems.Thus, in an integration of real world and virtual world environments,the user may enter a room where he can “hot click” on a radio, forexample, and choose a particular radio station, and the program willallow real-time audio of that radio station to play for the user.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the usercan compete in real-time in a gaming environment, for example, withother players others around the world. All the players will have theirown internet connections, be logged onto a world server or a set ofservers with a unique account and password, and will be able to interactwith one another in the thematic environment on a real-time basis. Eachplayer will receive dynamic content (i.e., information in real time)based on the other players' actions. For example, the other players maybe directed to “pick someone's pocket” by “grabbing” an object fromtheir competitor, and may gain points by getting to a certain locationfirst, by opening and reading certain information first, or by “hotclicking” on an item first, to obtain points etc.

The present invention also provides the feature of allowing“mini-applications” to be accessible within the virtual world such thatthe user can utilize word processing programs, e-mail, spreadsheets,attend and participate in an auction, etc. In addition, thesemini-applications, such as e-mail, chat rooms, video messaging, areperformed by the program in real time, without a noticeable delay to theuser.

The program is also designed to provide real time translations intomultiple languages within the virtual environment, so that the virtualenvironment is international in accessibility.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thethematic application can be presented in a holographic environment. Inone example of a thematic application in a holographic environment, a“cinematic room” can be provided, housing large non-intelligent displayscreens or digital displays, plasma screens, LCD or intelligentscreens/displays or the like, and chairs or other seated- orstanding-accessible structures with embedded controllers. The computersystem or film recorder projects images onto the display screen and theimages can be manipulated via the embedded controls in the chair orthrough the voice recognition systems located therein or those found ina separate unit similar to a head piece, microphone, 3d helmut etc. Theuser may also experience the images in a 3D environment via the use of3D goggles or other 3D devices.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, theinteractive software application of the present invention can beconnected to a holographic projection system in a gaming environment,for example. The system of the present invention could be set up in awarehouse environment, such that the holographic projections can beviewed in full size, or on a smaller scale. When the virtual world isactivated, the user will be able to walk through the environment, suchas a geographic zone, and images would be projected from a particularstreet for the user to view and interact with.

For example, in a holographic embodiment, the user may be presented witha holographic life-size image of a singer, and the program will allowthe user to experience the audio and video of that singer as if the userwere attending an actual concert by the singer.

In addition, the program would allow the virtual thematic environment toreact to the presence of the user. For example, in a holographicenvironment, the program would show holographic images of the streets ofNew York City, and if those holographic images are disrupted by thetouch of the user, this disruption would be sensed by the program, andthe program would change the image appropriately (i.e., the user touchesa door to enter through it into a store, and a sensor notifies thecomputer system of the present invention, of the disruption in theholographic image, wherein the program changes the images projected toshow the inside of the store).

In another embodiment of the holographic application, a GPS system maybe connected to the computer software of the present invention, whichwould allow the user to see a change in environment as the userphysically “walks” or moves a 3D representation (i.e., avatar) throughthe environment. The program may initiate automatic updates to changethe environment viewed by the user, as appropriate. The GPS system canbe provided in all applications for the user to access, as stated above,whether in a thematic environment on a computer screen, or in aholographic application. The data that is provided by the GPS system isrecorded and the program will provide that data in a businessintelligence format to sponsors for marketing purposes.

In an educational scenario, the program could project historical eventsas holographic images, and the user can walk through the virtualenvironment and experience the historical drama of the event in afirst-hand way. The user could also experience other events, such asvirtually “traveling through space”, whether flying a virtual aircraft,or traveling through the solar system, etc., in a real-world manner. Inbusiness applications, for example, a user could use the holographicprojection system to view real estate before purchasing, etc. In medicalapplications, the program could allow doctors to see a virtualholographic operation, in order to advise on the conduct of certainmedical procedures from a remote site, etc.

In a consumer-oriented sense, holographic images of a user can bedisplayed so that the user can try on clothing without ever going to astore. Books and magazines could be put into holographic images so thatthey are “living books”. Concerts could be holographic images tied inwith audio so that the user has a real-world experience of the musiciansand the music. In other applications, the user may be able to viewholographic images for online dating purposes, to learn dance steps froma holographic dance teacher, etc.

The present invention can also be integrated with a synthesized smelldevice, which can output odors such as smells for ingredients in avirtual cooking class, for example. This synthesized smell device andthe present invention can be connected via the internet and currentlyavailable supportive devices.

The present invention can also be integrated with a virtual weathersystem (i.e., for fog, wind, or rain etc.), which can output weatherpatterns in a virtual environment. In a holographic environment, thevirtual weather system can be tied to real-world fog or rain-producingsystems such as those used on movie sets, so that a walk through aholographic thematic environment could include the actual experience offog or rain etc.

The sheer number of applications is limitless, and it can be seen thatone of ordinary skill in the art would be able to apply the basictechnology of the present invention to almost any virtual or holographicenvironment to advance a user's thematic application experience.

Logical Architecture

The present invention is implemented in software which can be providedin a client, client and server environment, or in a distributed systemover a computerized network (the physical architecture is describedbelow), or embedded in a controller that activates both the computersystem and/or other devices.

In particular, the program of the present invention is in a QuantumImaging Environment (QIE). Thus, the logical architecture of the virtualplatform of the present invention is implemented on a 6-tier modularsystem (i.e., six layers), and at least six (6) service area modules,which are fully distributed across the internet (see FIG. 1).

The six layers of the virtual platform include 1) a graphical userinterface (GUI) 100, 2) a Thematic/Publishing Logic 101 and a DigitalContent Library 102, 3) a Business Logic 103, 4) a thematic or zoneapplication builder and interpreter (i.e., a Quantum Imaging Engine104), 5) Communications 105, and 6) a Data Storage 106. Each level ofthe 6-tier system is designed around Open Source technologies, but caninclude custom software developed in an open standards environment. Byusing Open Source and proprietary technologies with generic APIs, thepresent invention is scalable as the numbers of users increase, and theadvances can be programmed as Open Source technologies.

The six service area modules of the logical architecture of the virtualplatform include 1) voice recognition 107, 2) language translationservices 108, 3) business intelligence 109, 4) satellite transmission110, (5) a synthesized smell system 111, and (6) a GPS system 112, fullydistributed across the world wide web (WWW) 113. A weather system 114,can also be provided as another service area module.

Additional services are a subset of the Business Logic module, andinclude e-mail, chat, order entry, purchasing, billing, and sponsorfulfillment modules.

The virtual platform of the present invention may use the support ofPCs, or any other type of hardware that can support specific tasks atthe Business Logic and Thematic Logic levels. This may take the form ofGrid, Artificial Intelligence (AI), or other technology advancedservers, or the entire system may be hosted on a very high levelsupercomputing system that can calculate very complicated algorithms andmanage all processes supporting well over millions of userssimultaneously.

In particular, the present invention may be used in a client-servercontext, or may be a distributed system across a number of clientsystems. Thus, in the present invention, a particular operation may beperformed either at the client or the server, at the edge of a networkor at the center, or both. Therefore, at either the client or theserver, or both, corresponding programs for a desired operation/serviceare available.

In a client-server environment, at least one client and at least oneserver are each connected to a network such as a Local Area Network(LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and/or the Internet, over acommunication link. The steps in the methods consistent with the presentinvention are carried out at the client or at the server, or at both,the server (if used) being accessible by the client over for example,the Internet using a browser application or the like.

Note that at times the system of the present invention is described asperforming a certain function. However, one of ordinary skill in the artwould know that the program is what is performing the function ratherthan the entity of the system itself.

The physical architecture of the present invention may include at leastone co-located hosting site having racks containing server hardwareblades running operation systems, and other necessary applications. Thepresent application's co-located hosting sites may be deployed at twoadditional locations, providing full geographic diversity. These sitesmay be near major private or public peering points. The server hardwareblades may be connected to storage devices using network attachedstorage (NAS); but could also be a combination of local disks and aStorage Area Network (SAN), and redundant Gig-E connectivity. The racksmay be connected to the co-location hosting providers switches providingdirect connectivity to the Internet or contained. The presentapplication co-location site may be fully redundant with multiple egresspaths to the Internet. Interaction with the corporate sponsors andactive users may be through secure and non-secure internet connectivity.

If there are separate administrative servers for billing and generalcustomer care, they may be maintained in physically separate locationsfrom the main servers.

The underlying technology allows for replication to various other sites.Each new site can maintain “state” with its neighbors so that in theevent of a catastrophic failure, other server systems can continue tokeep the application running, and allow the system to load-balance theapplication geographically as required.

Physical Architecture

a. Client System

As stated above, the client may be a PC, a mobile terminal, such as amobile computing device, a mobile phone, or a mobile data organizer(PDA), operated by the user accessing the program remotely from theclient (see FIG. 1), or any other digital device that has a screen andstorage.

The client computer typically includes a processor as a client dataprocessing means, the processor including a central processing unit(CPU) and an input/output (I/O) interface, a memory with a programhaving a data structure, all connected by a bus, as well as an inputdevice or means, a display, and may also include a secondary storagedevice. The bus may be internal to the client and may include an adapterto a keyboard or input device or may include external connections.

The processor at the client may be internal or external thereto, andexecutes a program adapted to predetermined operations. The processorhas access to the memory in which may be stored at least one sequence ofcode instructions comprising the program and the data structure forperforming predetermined operations. The memory and program may belocated within the client or external thereto.

The program can include a separate program code for performing a desiredoperation, or may be a plurality of modules, such as those describedbelow, performing sub-operations of an operation, or may be part of asingle module of a larger program providing the operation.

The processor may be adapted to access and/or execute a plurality ofprograms corresponding to a plurality of operations. An operationrendered by the program may be, for example, supporting the userinterface, performing e-mail applications, etc.

The data structure may include a plurality of entries, each entryincluding at least a first storage area that stores the databases orlibraries mentioned above with respect to the logical architecture.

The storage device stores at least one data file, such as text files,data files, audio, video files, etc., in providing a particularoperation. The data storage device as storage means, may for example, bea database, including a distributed database connected via a network,for example. The storage device may be connected to the server and/orthe client, either directly or through a communication network, such asa LAN or WAN. An internal storage device, or an external storage deviceis optional, and data may also be received via a network and directlyprocessed.

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention are carriedout by providing an input means, or user selection means, including hotclickable icons etc., selection buttons, in a menu, dialog box, or aroll-down window of an interface provided at the client, and the usermay input commands through a keyboard, pen, stylus, mouse, speechprocessing means, touch screen, or other input/selection means. Theselection means may also be constituted by a dedicated piece of hardwareor its functions may be executed by code instructions executed on theclient processor, involving a display unit for displaying a selectionwindow and a keyboard for entering a selection, for example.

In methods and systems consistent with the present invention, the clientis connected to other clients or servers via a communication link as aclient communication means, using a communication end port specified byan address or a port, and the communication link may include a mobilecommunication link, a switched circuit communication link, or mayinvolve a network of data processing devices such as a LAN, WAN, theInternet, or combinations thereof. The communication link may be anadapter unit capable to execute various communications protocols inorder to establish and maintain communication with the server, forexample. The communication link may be constituted by a specializedpiece of hardware or may be realized by a general CPU executingcorresponding program instructions. The communication link may be atleast partially included in the processor executing correspondingprogram instructions.

b. Server System

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, if a server isused in a non-distributed environment, the server would include aprocessor having a CPU which is a server data processing means, and anI/O interface, but may also be constituted by a distributed CPUincluding a plurality of individual processors on one or a plurality ofmachines. The processor of the server may be a general data processingunit, but preferably a data processing unit with large resources (i.e.,high processing capabilities and a large memory for storing largeamounts of data).

The server also includes a memory with program having a data structureall connected by a bus. The bus or similar connection line can alsoconsist of external connections, if the server is constituted by adistributed system. The server processor may have access to a storagedevice for storing preferably large numbers of programs for providingvarious operations to the users.

The data structure may include a plurality of entries, each entryincluding at least a first storage area which stores information on thesponsors, for example, but may also have alternative embodimentsincluding that associated with other stored information as one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate.

The server may be a single unit or may be a distributed system of aplurality of servers or data processing units, and may be shared bymultiple users in direct or indirect connection to each other. Theserver performs at least one server program for a desired operation,which is required in serving a request from the client.

The communication link from the server is preferably adapted tocommunicate with a plurality of clients.

The server program may relate to providing a number of operationsrelated to thematic applications.

c. Client-server Environment

Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention may be presentedin a client-server arrangement (see FIG. 3), with a client system 200including components such as a GUI 201, and which may contain a QuantumImaging Environment (QIE) 202, and Thematic/Application Publishing LogicLibraries 203. The client system 200 interacts with the server system205 via an Application Interface 204.

The server system 205 includes a GUI 211 (see FIG. 4),Thematic/Publishing Logic (Engines) 206, a Communications module 207,Business Logic module 208, a Digital Content Library 209, and DataStorage 210, all interfacing with a QIE 211.

The client system 200 includes communications 212 via a wireless serviceconnection 213. The server system 205 includes communications 214 withnetwork/security features, via a wireless server 215, which connects to,for example, satellite 216, voice recognition 217, business intelligence218, language translation service 219, GPS system 220, and smell system221. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would know that othersystems may be included, such as a weather system, etc.

In particular, with respect to the client system 200, the GUI 201 is alightweight client application written to run on existing computeroperating systems which may be ported to other personal computer (PC)software, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cell phones, and anyother digital device that has a screen or visual component andappropriate storage capability. The GUI 201 contains an engine forproviding graphic hardware capabilities, graphic memory and structures,controls graphic object rendering on hardware, creates/manipulates 2Dand/or 3D objects, video objects, streaming video, web objects, lines,rectangles, spheres, vectors, matrices, etc., manipulates animation,colors, bitmaps, textures, images, defines coordinate system and definesworld boundaries, defines frames, bounding boxes, camera angles andviews, lighting and shadowing etc., provides plug-in extensions, userinput stream, event triggers, error handling, management of voice,music, and other graphic and voice formats, voice recognition, andtranslation services drivers.

In particular, with respect to the client system 200, the GUI 201 is alightweight client application written to run on existing computeroperating systems which may be ported to other personal computer (PC)software, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cell phones, and anyother digital device that has a screen or visual component andappropriate storage capability. The GUI 201 contains an engine forproviding graphic hardware capabilities, graphic memory and structures,controls graphic object rendering on hardware, creates/manipulates 2Dand/or 3D objects, video objects, streaming video, web objects, lines,rectangles, spheres, vectors, matrices, etc., manipulates animation,colors, bitmaps, textures, images, defines coordinate system and definesworld boundaries, defines frames, bounding boxes, camera angles andviews, lighting and shadowing etc., provides plug-in extensions, userinput stream, event triggers, error handling, management of voice,music, and other graphic and voice formats, voice recognition, andtranslation services drivers.

The GUI engine 201 pours in real world content rendered in HTML, XML,RDF, and/or QIE-rendering format or any content format. The userinteracts completely with the GUI 201, beginning with login, playing thegame in a gaming environment, where applicable, in user help, and usersubscription renewals. The GUI 201 also interacts or connects to theThematic/Application Publishing Logic Libraries 203 and an objectoriented database management system (ODDBM), and/or content managementsystem. The GUI 201 also has all the data related to the user'smanipulation of the selection means, including any keyboard strokes, useof a pen, joystick, interactive goggles, touch screen, or any otherinteractive hardware component that would allow the user the ability tomove objects, people, etc.

The QIE 202/211 is both part of the client and the server components inthe embodiment of FIG. 2. The QIE 202/211 includes an interpreter thatwill allow data to be transmitted to any device, and is the basis forthe design structure and layout for applications. The QIE 202/211 allowsdevelopers to develop objects and applications from the interpreter. Forgaming or other thematic environments, the representation of the layoutand design may be in the representation of “zones”, and the layout anddesign may be set up as zones and content, for medical, retail,educational purposes, etc. The QIE 202/211 pertains to the most commondenominator—the application architecture, and the content. QIE 202/211is an interpreter that will take all of the rich content, interpret theinformation into objects to be manipulated and accessed via any deviceand place these objects or information in the appropriate format that isdesigned or will be designed by the developer.

On the server side, the QIE 211 interacts with the Business Logic 208,Digital Content Library 209, Thematic/Publishing Logic 206, Data Storage210, Communications 207, and via, the Communications/Network/Security214, to the service modules 216-221. The data may be manipulated inobject form or some other form that would be accessed, manipulated andinterpreted on any digital device.

Two technologies that may be used in conjunction thereof or separately,to manipulate the data and access the data, are mirror imagingtechnology and holographic imaging technology. In addition, othertechnology language-based algorithms can be used in recalculating thecontent, shapes, graphics, images, music, and video (every type ofmedia), in order that the data can be exposed, manipulated, and accessedon any device.

The Thematic/Application Publishing Logic Libraries 203 on the clientsystem 200, include all the libraries that are needed for theinteractive components of the applications such as animation, graphics,artwork, overall content, web content, and utilizes the services oftranslation, currency, satellite transmission, video, music, synthesizedsmell, and voice-over libraries. In addition, the Thematic/ApplicationPublishing Logic Libraries 203 contain the profile of the active users,their current states, individual histories, associations between otheractive users when in a game format (i.e., team members), andassociations within the virtual world, such as with non-game characters(i.e., characters within the game).

In addition, the Thematic/Application Publishing Logic Libraries 203 aredesigned for the sponsors in order to incorporate product placement,video feeds, and mini-applications, web sites, e-commerce, music, voice,and GPS system information into the virtual world. TheThematic/Application Publishing Logic Libraries 203 may also be used forthe development of mini-applications that are dictated by the sponsor,and will allow a developer to build a simulated e-mail, spreadsheet,database, and any type of application that is sponsor-based or pertainsto the overall thematic application.

The Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 on the server system 205 is accessedthrough the GUI 201, and contains the environmental game rules. TheThematic/Publishing Logic 206 also ties into the QIE engine 211 andBusiness Logic 208 layers.

The Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 is the director of all previouscomponents by working with a pre-defined (but modifiable) set of rulesand events from objects, and coordinates further actions to be taken asto what will constitute the thematic environments. In particular, theThematic/Publishing Logic 206 initializes global memory structures,validation of thematic objects and engines, startup procedures for allengines, collects objects for all engines, initializes the defaultthematic environment, provides user information, interacts and validatesthe engines' status, provides access and execution to thematicenvironment rules, controls and creates events from engines, providesstate change to all engines, provides scripting language for explicitobject modification, and provides shutdown for all engines.

The Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 also interacts directly with the DataStorage 210, obtaining and updating information (i.e., states, profilesand history) on the active users. The Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 willinteract with the Digital Content Library 209 and pass information backand forth to the specific subfolders and document management system.

The Thematic/Publishing Logic 209 also ties directly into e-mail or chatsystems and other Business Logic 208 applications that are necessary tothe thematic applications or which may be used directly in the thematicapplications. The Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 will also tie directlyto the Business Logic 209 for calculating the time, rewards, points,order, purchase, billing and shipping components. As theThematic/Application Publishing Logic Libraries 203 need information,the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 will pull that data from the BusinessLogic 208 and Digital Content 209 libraries, or the reverse, dependingupon the needs of the application environment.

In a gaming environment, the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 may beprogrammed to “grab” data/objects from the web to be utilized in thegame. Any objects on the web will be “copied and grabbed” by maintainingthe original information of the data or objects and will allow the useof that image, while maintaining the data and integrity of the object,within the application.

The Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 may be written in C, C++, C#, Java,and/or Assembler, or any another language that is suited for this typeof interaction and/or libraries.

The Digital Content Library 209 ties into the QIE engine 211. TheDigital Content Library 209 is a content management application ordatabase that interacts with the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206, thatwill be laid out into sections or subsets and its own respective groupssimilar to a filing cabinet (i.e., document management system, forexample, Zone 1: USA, Zone 1A: New York, Zone 1A1: New York City, etc.).Within each zone are a subset of data and another subset of data. Eachwill include, for example, the layout of the streets, buildings, stores,historic locations, rivers, streams, oceans, etc. It will also includethe video, music, GPS information, and images relating to each city.

The Digital Content library 209 includes all information such as data,codes, binary files, web content, event notification, and otherinformation. The Digital Content library 209 may also include schedulingdirections for when the web site access and identification of where toplace the web content or advertising, e-commerce, video, etc. are to beplaced.

The Business Logic 208 is tied into the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206and the Data Storage 210. The Business Logic 208 is made up of severalmodules, which are directed to: accounting (i.e., ordering, billing,shipping, and payment processing) for both the sponsors and users,including all member information accumulated within the application(i.e., rewards, points, time (based on time zones), stopwatch or timer);creating/maintaining user profile information; a transaction databasewhich tracks business intelligence data, licensing, rewards, points,time, and user info; maintaining a sponsor database of businessinformation; a member database (i.e., order configuration, encryption &compression, library data); electronic messaging (i.e., e-mail, chat, orother applications); and interacts with the Business Intelligenceservice module 218.

The Business Logic 208 maintains the profiles of the active users, theircurrent states, individual histories, associations between active users(i.e., team members), and associations with non-users (i.e., characterswithin the thematic virtual world). The Business Logic 208 interactswith the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 as well as the other layers on anas-needed basis to update the profiling for the thematic applications,as well as information needed for business intelligence reporting.

The thematic virtual world interacts with the sponsors at this layer.The Business Logic 208 collects content from the real world (i.e.,content from the sponsor's websites, information on time, weather,late-breaking news, etc.) and injects this content into the thematicvirtual world through the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206.

The Business Logic 208 interacts with the Business Intelligence servicemodule 218 for business intelligence data, supplying the information tothe sponsor in real time offering all of the latest data which istracked within the applications. The Business Logic 208 componentinteracts with the corporate sponsor, providing relevant information(i.e., raw data, canned reports, etc.) to the sponsor on the activeuser's consumer behaviors, including likes, dislikes, purchases, etc.Maintenance fees for upgrades and updates are automatically sent to thesponsors.

The Business Logic 208 interacts with the Data Storage 210 to updateinformation on the active users, determining what information isrelevant today vs. yesterday. The Business Logic 208 ties back into theThematic/Application Publishing Logic Libraries 203 and then to the zoneapplication builder and interpreter (QIE engine 202/211).

The Business Logic 103 is written in C, C++, C#, Java and/or Assembler,or any other type of language appropriate to achieve the above-describedfeatures.

The logical architecture of the present invention is designed to providefuture consideration for APIs 204 at the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206and Business Logic 208 components. Using software development kits(SDKs), corporate sponsors using professional services, are able to makecustomer modifications to the themaitc application or game.

The Data Storage 210 includes distributed databases containing allrelevant information on the active user's profile in their currentstate, history, and real world content. The Data Storage 210 interactsdirectly with the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 and the Business Logic208.

The database tables will be distributed using an appropriate databaseapplication that will support grid-based logical architecture or otherappropriate database architecture.

The Communications module 207 of the server system 205 can handle amultiplayer network and will use standard internet communications tieinto existing libraries or with custom modifications.

The client Communications 212 interface provides access to variousnetwork services required to interact with other users (such as amessaging service, system administration service, user/groupadministration service, chat service, thematic state tracking, andcharacter profile service 214), and controls dynamic features as appliedby the central servers. The client Communications 212 may providealternate connection options, and controls termination of theconnections.

The server Communications Network/Security 214 interface, addresses thesecurity of the logical architecture at two levels. The integrity of theactive user is maintained, and secure interaction between the system ofthe present invention and the corporate sponsor is maintained.

The server Communications Network/Security 214 interface provides accessto various network services required to interact with other users andcontrol dynamic features as applied by the central servers. The serverCommunications Network/Security 214 may include maintaining the state ofthe thematic environment amongst various users, providing anti-cheatingmechanisms, providing messaging services between users, and passesinformation to and from the client applications and other internalserver side applications.

The server Communications Network/Security 214 interface may requireinteraction with the server Business Logic 208. The serverCommunications Network/Security interface 214 may also require access toother client software during use, and direct access to various databaseinformation for performance reasons.

The server Communications Network/Security 214 provides securityfunctions such as user authentication and anti-cheat algorithms, and mayalso provide methods for secure billing and rewarding systems to userswith audit functions. Security is maintained within the virtualenvironment to ensure that users adhere to virtual world rules. Theserver Communications Network/Security 214 prevents hackers fromaccessing, modifying, or corrupting data (i.e., modifying their currentstate and history or the data of others), thus preventing sabotage forthe active user population.

Security is also incorporated using encryption between the BusinessLogic 208 and the sponsors to ensure that there is no back-door entryinto the sponsors' websites, nor that proprietary consumer data isintercepted.

With respect to the service modules 216-221, these modules arestate-of-the art systems which are conventionally available.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the clientside system can be a server which, instead of having all the librariesetc. on a component such as the Thematic/Application Publishing LogicLibraries 203 of FIG. 2, instead are all placed on a GUI 250 of clientside server 240 (see FIG. 3).

The GUI 250 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a graphics library 251,a translation library 252, a film/video library 253, a mini applicationslibrary 254, a voice library 255, a physics library 256, an ArtificialIntelligence (AI) library 257, a music library 258, a sponsor library259, a thematic application/publication/game content library 260,drivers 261, a thematic application/publication/game state component262, a networking interface 263, and a thematicapplication/publishing/game logic and scripting component 264.

The graphics component/library 251 is discussed in detail above. Thetranslation library 252, the film/video library 253, mini applicationslibrary 254, and a voice library 255, are all related to the enginesand/or services associated with the libraries that support both aclient, such as a client-server, or server-based model. In this example,the program runs from a client only, which can be connected to a server,but in most cases is limited to the client. In this example, thetranslation library will include program code that will allow thetranslation of one language into a different language—for example,Chinese to English. The information or data of the translations will bestored or can be located in the Thematic Application/Publishing/GameContent library 260.

The Film/Video library 253 includes programming code that will allow thepresent system to re-create and maintain the attributes of a number offilm strips or video in its appropriate format using the appropriatecode or language(s). The Film/Video library 253 will interact with theGUI 250 and Sponsor Library 259, and possibly the QIE 202 and/or theGraphics library 251 for processing and display through the appropriatedrivers 261 to the screen. The information or data will be stored or canbe located in the Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Content library260.

The mini-applications library 254 will consist of programming code tocreate the appropriate application selected by the user. Themini-applications library will interact with the GUI 250, SponsorLibrary 259, and the Graphics library 251 for processing, and possiblythe QIE 202 and/or the Graphics library 251 for processing and displaythrough the appropriate drivers 261 to the screen. The information ordata will be stored or can be located in the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Content library 260. The amount ofinformation is determined based on the set of instructions, programmingcode, and sponsorship.

The Voice library 255 or audio will allow for the programming, and/orgeneration of the audio particular to a frame or to the 2D/3D images.The Voice library 255 will interact with the GUI 250, Sponsor Library259 and possibly the QIE 202 and/or the Graphics library 251, and theappropriate drivers 261 will process the information for output. Voiceis also used in this sense to take information via a microphone or sometype of input device into the system, which is processed through the GUI250, passed to the QIE for processing and/or to the Voice library 255for instruction to be passed back to the Graphics library 251 and backthrough the GUI 250 and drivers 261 to be outputted through a set ofspeakers or output device. The information or data will be stored or canbe located in the Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Content library260.

The Music engine/library 258 maintains the specifications for the music,music state, and all the properties, data, logic, and rules andprogramming that are associated with the integration and output of musicin the thematic applications. The Music library 258 will allow for theprogramming, and/or generation of music particular to a frame or to the2D/3D images. The Music library 258 will interact with the GUI 250,Sponsor Library 259, business logic, drivers, and possibly the QIE 202,and/or the Graphics library 251. After the Music library 258 finds theappropriate piece of music, the program will transfer the data back tothe GUI 250 and Drivers 261, to an output device or set of speakers. Theinformation or data will be stored or can be located in the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Content library 260, or can be pulled from asatellite transmission via the satellite service module. The Musicengine may release the memory used upon completion of its task.

Each of the libraries—Translation 252, Film/Video 253, Mini Applications154, Voice 255, Music 258, and Sponsor 259, will obtain the appropriateinformation for data, voice, music etc., from the storage area or diskand/or the Thematic Application/Publication/Game content 260, and willmaintain all the information for the profiling, “game” state, andbusiness information and tracking, by accessing the ThematicApplication/Publication/Game state component 262, and via connecting tothe Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Logic and Scripting component264. The libraries will process the information, voice, data, music,etc. as appropriate or through the QIE, for display on the screen orthroughput to the digital devices speaker or speaker system, utilizingthe drivers 261 and networking interface(s) 263. This option allows theuser the use of the thematic application directly on his/her digitaldevice without connecting to the internet.

The physics engine of the physics component/library 256 controls thebehavior of objects as they would be affected by various laws of nature.The physics engine of the physics component/library 256 providesmathematical manipulation to objects as how they would react to gravity,rapid deceleration, and chaotic behaviors. The physics engine of thephysics component/library 256 may inform the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component 264 when theobject should be changed given the current set of physics logic. Thephysics engine component/library 256 may interact directly with theThematic Application/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component 264.

The physics engine component/library 256 controls releasing memory,relates physics objects to game objects, provides physics objectduplication, maintains the physics object state, and provides data onobject modification due to equations and the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting 264. The physics enginecomponent/library 256 disables the local physics code when in multi-usermode and assumes those tasks. The physics engine component/library 256may interact directly with the Thematic Application/Publishing/GameLogic & Scripting 264 for all networked users, and also may rely on areal-time thematic database for partial and context information.

The AI engine component/library 257 interacts directly with the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component 264. Forperformance reasons, it may also act directly with the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Content component 260.

The AI engine component/library 257 controls the behavior of objectsthat exhibit intelligence beyond that of the user's or the thematicenvironment on the network. The AI 257 may be used to manipulateobjects, for example, such as NPCs (non-player characters) when in athematic/gaming context, animal characters in thematic environments, andsimple games within the game. The AI 257 informs the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component 264 when theobject should be changed given the current set of AI logic. The AIengine component/library 264 disables local AI code when in multi-usermode, and assumes those tasks. The AI engine component/library 264 mayinteract directly with the Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Logic &Scripting component 264 for all networked users. The AI enginecomponent/library 264 may also rely on the real-time thematic databasefor spatial and contextual information.

The AI engine component/library 257 may provide AI object duplication,relates AI objects to thematic environment objects, maintains the AIobject state, provides data on object modification due to AI rules andthematic logic, provides secure transport of data to/from clients andservers, receives data from the server, if provided, checks for errorsin data, collects thematic environment state information from theclient, and makes thematic environment state information available tothe Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting 264, providesmessaging services, and real-time file loading services.

The Sponsor library 259 maintains the specifications for the sponsor'sproduct placement, storefronts, state, and all the properties, data,logic, and rules and programming that are associated with theintegration and output of the sponsor components or 2D/3D images in thethematic applications. The sponsor library 259 may interact directlywith the Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Content component 260, theGraphics library 251, Translation library 252, Film/Video library 253,Voice library 255, Music libraries 258, mini-applications library 254,the business logic, drivers 261, and the QIE. The data may be stored inthe data storage, digital content library, or pulled from a satellitetransmission via the satellite service module. It will tie directly intothe Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component264, and will release the memory used upon completion of its task.

The Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Content component 260 mayprovide a storage facility for all thematic content required in thevirtual environment. Objects may include video, audio, images, rule setsand default values for all objects used in the thematic environment. TheThematic Application/Publishing/Game Content component 260 may alsoprovide multiple methods for accessing the objects and maintains arecord of where objects are located. Other tasks may include providingcaching of commonly used objects and a method to update objects.

The Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Content component 260 maycontrol releasing memory, initialize data access protocols, provideaccess to objects on local hardware and remote hardware, cachingservices, compression services, versioning services, updating ofobjects, error checking, a framework for sub-AI engines, and errorhandling.

The Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Content component 260 mayinteract directly with the client server ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component 264, thegraphics component 251, AI component 257, as well as the NetworkInterface 263.

The server drivers 261 are instructions, connections, or translationthat allows the input or output of data to be recognized by certainhardware for example a screen, phone, microphone, keyboard, pen, theinternet etc.

The server Thematic Application/Publishing/Game state component 262maintains the state or information of the play. If the character movesto the right and stops, the Thematic Application/Publishing/Game statecomponent 262 tracks the actual movements of what it took to make thatcharacter move and stop. If the object is transformed to a differentobject, the component 262 tracks the steps that it took for that imageto be transposed. The Thematic Application/Publishing/Game statecomponent 262 will maintain the exact location of where the thematicapplication is stopped, such that the user can return to this same spotupon the user's return to the thematic application. The ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game state component 262 also maintains theimaging, data, music, voice, film, etc. for that location. However, thecontent may indeed change depending upon other users/players/etc. and orthe update of information that has been added to or removed from themain system on the server. Although the user may be able to return tothe same location and begin again, the program may change the quests,questions, object(s), stores, product placement etc.

The server Networking Interface 263 provides access to various networkservices required to support the server 240, such as a messagingframework, etc., and includes maintaining the server componentframework. The server Networking Interface 263 is responsible forextracting in real-time, real world information and normalizing it forthe thematic environment. Data sources may consist of XML, SOAP, HTML,FTP, Telnet, or any other commonly available method of data transfer.Normalized rule sets are sent to the server ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component 264 forimplementation in the thematic environment. The real world NetworkingInterface 263 is also responsible for maintaining rules that affect thethematic environment when no other real world data is available.

The server Thematic Application/Publishing/Game Logic & Scriptingcomponent 264 takes data from a rule set as well as from externalsources and modifies the thematic environment. Rules may be static andretrieved from a data source, or they may be dynamically created from anapplication tool. External rules will come from various sources and willarrive in moralized manner. All real time modifications to the thematicenvironment may be routed through the ThematicApplication/Publishing/Game Logic & Scripting component 264.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the clientsystem may be a basic system, and the server may include all of thecomponents necessary to support the interactive software platform of thepresent invention.

In FIG. 4, for example, which shows such a system, a server 300 includesa Thematic/Publishing component 301 having a Graphics module 302, anAudio/Voice module 303, an AI module 304, a Music module 305, a Physicsmodule 306, and a Sponsor module 307. The Thematic/Publishing component301 interacts with a Digital Content Library 308, which includes aDocument Management sub-module 309, and a Zones module 310.

The Thematic/Publishing component 301 also interacts with the BusinessLogic module 325 via the QIE 314. The Business Logic 325 includes a NewContent information module 316, an Accounting, Billing, & CustomerSupport module 317, an Administration/Time Information module 318, aPoints/Rewards Information module 319, a Business Rules module 320, aReporting Tools module 321, a Gamer Profile or Character PlayInformation module 322, a Character State Information module 323, aSponsor Database 324, a Member Database 325, Electronic Messaging 326,an E-mail, Chat & other applications module 327, and a Data Storage 328.

The Graphics module 302 has been discussed previously. The Audio/Voice303, AI 304, Music 305, Physics 306, and Sponsor 307 modules, and theThematic Application/Publishing component 301 have also been discussedpreviously, as well as the Digital Content Library 308.

The Document management 309 and Zones 310 modules are a subset of theDigital Content Library 308. The document management application 309allows for the actual storage of data, information, music, video, audio,film, etc. and divides the information in the appropriate sections byweb content, and ZONES (geographic locations ie., country, state, city,street, etc.; genre, market, social, hobby, etc.). The Digital Contentlibrary 308 contains all the grandfather, father, son etc., level ofmaintaining information.

The Business Logic module 325 and QIE 314 modules have been discussedpreviously.

The New Content Information module 316 is the new content database whichcontains all new audio, video, rules and scripts for use within thethematic environment. It also maintains versioning information as wellas any new security rules/code required for the thematic environment.

The Accounting, Billing, & Customer Support module 317 is a web basedinterface to all users' and sponsors' information. The Accounting,Billing & Customer support module 317 allows for add/change/delete ofinformation as well as general customer support. The front end goes tothe Help Desk and 1st/2nd level engineering support, for example. TheAccounting, Billing & Customer Support module 317 may provide generalbilling information only.

The Administration/Time Information module 318, provides internalsupport for all thematic environments and administration. TheAdministration/Time Information module 318 provides for web access tothe thematic environment and provides modification as necessary, and mayalso provide direct access to the state of each user. Other functionsmay include the modification of business rules and administrationaccess.

The Points/Rewards Information module 319 is programmed to calculate andmaintain the number of points that a user has accumulated or lost in thethematic application. The Points/Rewards Information module 319 alsomaintains the rewards that have been distributed or “awarded” to a user,and information on whether the user has accepted the award, or if theaward is still available for another user to claim. The Points/RewardsInformation module 319 provides the information to the GUI 302 via thethematic application, to be displayed on the screen, and also updatesthe sponsor and member databases 324, 325, as well as updates thebusiness intelligence services via the QIE 314. The QIE 314 transmitsthe information to the Business Logic's 315 Sponsor database 324, Memberdatabase 325, and Reporting tools 321, that ties into the BusinessIntelligence server with the information for tracking the developmentsof how the points were obtained, the award(s) selected, and the partialprofile of the user.

The Business Rules module 320, is a rule-based component of businessprocesses for e-commerce, such as advertising, billing, profiling, etc.,and integrates easily with all the networked components, libraries, QIE,and business intelligence. The rules are developed using Java, C, C++ orany other programming language. It includes, XML, HTML or any markuplanguage or other method for communication to connect and communicatewith the internet and it will be extensible. The Business Rules module320 handles the translation of rules to and from heterogeneouscommercially important rule systems/languages, as well as to and fromthe existing components and external services performing actions andtesting conditions and maintains the status of the entire QIEenvironment and keeps its services supported. The Business Rulescomponent 320 consists of intelligent agents for the following:e-commerce, procurement, catalogs, storefronts, auction, configuration,financial—billing and shipping, connecting to the services etc.

The Reporting Tools module 321 is a web interface to both internal andexternal reporting tools. Internal reports may include online usage,system usage, network usage, system problems, billing information,marketing statistics, and other information as required. Externalreports may include campaign statistics, impressions, trending, andvarious data-mining sets. All reports are dynamically created for bothinternal and external use only limited by the data retained by thereporting database. The reporting database contains information requiredto generate reports for users/sponsors. The reporting database is schemadependent on user/sponsor needs.

The Gamer Profile or Character Play Information module 322, maintainsall the data regarding the character that the user chooses to be or usewithin his/her application. The choice of characters and their profilesare maintained in the Digital Content Library 308. This information willbe catalogued within the gamer profile or character play and can be usedwith another thematic application, or the user may change the selectionof characters depending on the choice that the user makes for thethematic application of choice.

The Character State Information module 323 includes information on thecharacter state of play. The Character State Information module 323maintains all the information regarding the character moods, facialexpressions, positions, modes of movement such as combat, standing,running, jumping, turning etc. The Character State Information module323 allows the object or character to alter its behavior depending uponeither an outside influence such as another user, the computer (usingAI), or the actual gamer or user.

The Sponsor Database 324 and the Member Database 325 are a highly securedatabases having all sponsor and user information, respectively,including contact information, which contains, for example, billinginformation, business rules, administration information, and ancillaryinformation. The Sponsor and Member databases 324, 325 contain all thesponsor/user profiles such as age, sex, credit card information, marketlikes and dislikes, purchases, and tracking information. The Memberdatabase 325 is set up during the logging-in process of the thematicapplication. As the information is updated via any purchases or trackingthroughout the thematic application, the information is immediatelystored for that particular user. The Sponsor database 324 maintains theinformation to tie into the sponsor's web site, and on the sponsor'sproducts and product placements.

The Electronic Messaging 326 component includes conventionalstate-of-the-art applications that is a service that connects to theBusiness Logic and to the QIE for processing when a user makes thespecific request through the GUI.

The E-mail, Chat & other applications module 327 includes conventionalstate-of-the-art applications in communications, such as e-mail, chatrooms, etc. They are all application services that transfer theinformation through the Business Logic and to the QIE for processingwhen a user makes the specific request through the GUI. The applicationsare based on the thematic application “storyline”.

The Data Storage 328 may include, among others, a real-time thematicenvironment database, an auditing database, and a meta database. Thereal-time thematic environment database is located in the DigitalContent Library 308 (also described above), and is a very efficientreal-time database that maintains the state of each thematicenvironment, user, and the thematic virtual world. The schema isdependent on the networking tool provider. The real-time thematicenvironment database is tied to an Object Oriented Database that islocated on the database server with connections to the Business Logic315.

The meta Database contains all thematic environment/user/sponsorinformation that is not dedicated elsewhere. The meta Database includesinformation having data that is necessary for maintaining billing/highlevel secure information, and profiling or information pertaining to thethematic environment/user/sponsor.

The auditing database which handles the security system/environment, andis a near real-time database used for auditing the user's movements inthe thematic environment, and security. The auditing database may alsoprovide data to various other databases via replication in such a way asto not affect the responsiveness of the thematic schema. The auditingdatabase may or may not be a complete replication of the thematicenvironment database.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, FIG. 5shows a client-server arrangement similar to that of FIG. 2, with theserver system 409 having the same components as that of FIG. 2 (i.e.,Thematic Application/Publishing Logic (Engines) 411, QIE 410, DigitalContent Library 412, Business Logic 413, Data Storage 414, andCommunication 415). The client system 400 is connected to the serversystem 409 via Application Interface 408.

However, the client system 400 includes not only a GUI 401, ThematicApplication/Publishing Logic Libraries 402, and QIE 407, but alsoincludes components similar to that of the server (i.e., a ThematicApplication/Publishing Logic (Engines) 416, Digital Content Library 403,and Data Storage 406).

In addition, as with the embodiment of FIG. 2, the client system 400 isconnected to Communications 416 having a wireless service connection417, and the server system 409 is connected to a CommunicationsNetwork/Security 418 having a wireless server 419, which accessessatellite 420, voice recognition 421, business intelligence 422,language translation 423, GPS system 424, and smell system 425 modules.However, one of ordinary skill in the art would know that other modulesmay be accessed, such as weather system modules 426.

The present client-server system of FIG. 5 is arranged such that theclient system 400 can operate independently of the server system 409,but that the server system 409 can be optionally connected. In theformer situation, the additional modules 420-425 would instead beconnected to the client system 400.

In the latter situation of an exemplary client side system 400 withoption to connect to the server 409, the system is set up such that theuser does not have the capability to interact with the WWW and does nothave the capability to engage in a multiplayer environment. This set upallows the user to play the game that has been written or is on a CD orother storage medium.

For example, the CD is inserted into the CD Drive, and the user canselect the loading, onto the system, of all the engine, library,content, communication, driver, and GUI, etc. Information is thentransferred to the PC's hard disk. If it is one of the “boxes” of thesystem, information is transferred to those boxes, hard drives, disks,etc. in the same manner. The thematic application is then launched onthat particular device by either pushing a button or by selecting anicon on the screen. The user will be able to experience the thematicapplication with the limitations of the following: any mini-applicationswill be simulated, all music, video, film, content will be selfcontained on the system and pre-selected, and there will be noconnection to any live data transferred to the PC or “box” unlessconnected to the internet.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the clientsystem 400 and server system 409 of FIG. 5 can be disposed in onesystem, rather being separated into two systems.

Although the above physical architecture has been described above asclient-side or server-side components, one of ordinary skill in the artwould know that the above components of the physical architecture may bein either client or server, or in a distributed environment.

Further, although the above-described features and processing operationsmay be realized by dedicated hardware, or may be realized as programsincluding code instructions executed on data processing units, it isfurther possible that parts of the above sequence of operations arecarried out in hardware, whereas other of the above processingoperations are carried out using software.

Further, although aspects of one implementation of the present inventionare described as being stored in memory, one of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that all or part of the methods and systemsconsistent with the present invention may be stored on or read fromother computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, likehard disks, floppy disks, CD-ROM, a carrier wave received from a networksuch as the Internet, or other forms of ROM or RAM either currentlyknown or later developed. Further, although specific components of thesystem have been described, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe system .suitable for use with the methods and systems consistentwith the present invention, may contain additional or differentcomponents.

Operation

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the useraccesses the virtual platform which is any type of thematic environment,such as a game, and accessed in any manner, such as by a dedicatedwebsite, or via a link on a host website over the Internet (i.e.,worldwide web (WWW)). In some applications, the program may request theuser to log in and enter a username, password, and to create a profile,which may include personal information, such as gender, age, address,etc., or a virtual profile, if desired. The information is stored by theprogram in the Business Logic database (208, see FIG. 2, for example)for use later by the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206.

Further, the program may request payment methods to enter certain typesof thematic environments. Payment methods may include credit cardinformation, invoice information (for sponsors), or a gift card. Theprogram may then present the user with predetermined options prior toentering the thematic environment (i.e., level of difficulty, or gamechallenges, in a game environment).

Thus, in one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the userenters the thematic environment, such as a travel website or ageographically themed game, and the Graphics libraries of the DigitalContent/thematic content system of the program displays a world map andoffers the user the choice of a particular state, country, or city, andthe choice of a first person or third person (i.e., avatar) perspective.The geographic thematic environment may be based on modular-based zoneswith different levels of content. All content in the thematicenvironments are updated every few months by the program.

Once the user chooses the geographical environment and user perspective,the GUI 200 of FIG. 2, for example, transmits information directlythrough an API to the Business Logic of the server 205, to display theavatar, for example, through specific APIs 204 to the QIE 211. (Notethat although FIG. 2 is used as an example to describe the operation ofthe present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art would know thatany of the other exemplary Figures may be used). The QIE 211 processesthe information to determine the type of device and thematicenvironment, and may re-rasterize the information to format to thatdevice and thematic environment.

Once the avatar and the geographical environment are chosen, the programwill provide a prompt on the display screen so that the user may beginthe thematic application.

Since all the graphics reside in the Digital Content system, thegraphics libraries are ready to accept commands by the user once theuser moves, or directs the avatar to move through the application. TheDigital Content library 209 maintains all the information in a contentmanagement database that is utilized when requested by the GUI 200.

In a specific example of the operation of the present invention, theuser may choose a thematic application which includes a geographicenvironment, and may select the city of entry as Rome, for example.Based on this premise, the program of the thematic application may havethe user face fighting lions in a scene in the Coliseum, taking a trainto another part of the city, enjoying a soccer match or any other sport,visiting a museum/church or any other type of building, attending aconcert, or shop etc. The user will be able to interact with theholograms, other individuals/and or avatars, and other 2D/3D images,including photos, film/video, 2D graphics and 3D graphics. The user willalso be able to purchase goods from that city in real time from a storeor place of choice. The user will be able to hear the music based on acity's culture, hear the people speaking in their own languages, and ina holographic warehouse environment, for example, smell the foods thatare cooking in that part of the world, in order to learn everythingabout that particular culture, region, and/or history.

The stores that appear as the avatar walks down the street in thethematic environment, for example, are 3D models which are stored in theDigital Content library 209 and displayed by the graphics engine of theprogram. For example, when the user enters a street in a desiredlocation, such as Rome, the graphics engine of the program will show thestreet with the actual buildings which exist on that street. If thestorefronts on the street are sponsored by a corporate customer, theuser may see a well-known restaurant, coffeehouse, bookstore etc. Thus,depending on the level of corporate sponsorship, the user may only beable to view a storefront or a banner, or may be able to fully accessthe building or a product (such as a car), to have a virtual experiencewith the physical environment.

Thus, as the user moves the avatar down the street, the graphics librarylocated in the Thematic/Publishing Logic Libraries 203 allows for theavatar's simple movements such as walking, turning etc. In particular,the movement of the avatar/user is generated by the GUI 200 transmittingdata through a standard communications system 212 to the server 205. Thedata is transmitted to the QIE 211 which processes the information andsends the information to the appropriate library for processing. In thiscase, it is the Thematic/Publishing Logic Libraries 203 and within thislayer, the Graphics application library, which is connected to the QIE202 via the APIs 204, for example, for requests for information andprocessing.

Thus, as the user moves throughout the thematic environment, dependingon the user's access of the music, video, animation, services, etc.,each of the API's are seamlessly connected to the Libraries ready toeither re-calculate or utilize whatever is stored in the Digital Contentsystem or service libraries. The commands or programming are tightlycoupled with each layer and with each service. If the user selects ortouches a poster, for example, the program will connect the userseamlessly to the internet site that is tied to that component foreither purchase, review, or any other instruction/operation. Uponcompleting any task at the sponsored site, the user is then exposed to apoint of returning to the thematic application to continue where theyhad left the program or application. The entire thematic application isan integration between the internet (WWW), Business Logic,Thematic/Publishing Logic, and QIE, and the GUI. The QIE will determinethe actual output as it sends information out to the device to determineits type and to re-calculate the objects from a viewing perspective tobe manipulated to that specific device.

The user may move the avatar into a 3D model of a store, for example,the building which is stored in the Digital Content library. The DigitalContent library maintains all the information in a content managementdatabase that is utilized when requested by the GUI. All the informationin the content management database includes data, codes, binary files,web content, event notification, and other information. It may alsocontain scheduling directions for when the web site access andidentification of where to place the web content or advertising,e-commerce, video, music, etc are to be placed.

In one example, if the avatar enters the store and speaks to a storeemployee within the thematic environment, the GUI transmits theappropriate information entered by the user via a speech processingmeans, keyboard, or other input means, and an API, to the AI library andto the voice libraries of the thematic content for both movement, highlevel action, and the processing of the voice data. The GUI willtransmit the information to the Thematic/Publishing Logic via an API tocontact the Sponsor library. The information request is transferredthrough the GUI to the Thematic Application library via an API to againcontact the Sponsor library for a simulated web connection to thesponsor site. The information is then submitted back to the GUI fordisplay showing the Sponsors web site. The Sponsor library will thensend a call directly to the Digital Content library for the informationrequested. The voice library will then transmit this information in arecognized data form to the standard communication device for output tothe screen, or to speakers or other device, and any movement of theavatar and NPC store employee will be displayed on the screen via an APIto the GUI for display.

Once in the store, if the user moves the avatar to touch a product inthe store (i.e., by hot click), the movement is regulated by thegraphics library located in the Thematic/Application Publishing LogicLibraries 203, and the Communication component 212 will connect to anAPI 204 that activates the sponsor library located in theThematic/Publishing Logic 206, and the GUI 200 of the program willautomatically take the user temporarily out of the current environmentto a dedicated sponsor website. The sponsored website may be connectedto the thematic environment via standard internet channels.Alternatively, the sponsored website may appear within the thematicenvironment as a display on the screen.

In one example, once at the sponsored website, the program may requestthat the user purchase products utilizing conventional “shopping cart”systems and standard transaction interfaces with respect to billing,shipping, etc. The program may ask that the user pick the products forpurchase, enter the quantity, complete the transaction and then enterthe method of payment, using the standard “shopping cart” model andstandard transaction interfaces.

Any information on purchases by the user, whether “virtual” (if part ofa thematic environment task), or real-world, will be sent by the programvia the QIE and APIs for processing in the accounting and billingcomponents of the Business Logic 208. The information will be processedin the accounting, billing, user, and sponsor components of the BusinessLogic. The information to ship the product, and billing information,will be transferred directly to the sponsor from the Business Logic viaan API that transmits the information through the Communicationscomponent and then directly to the sponsor, if this is the informationthat has been stored for that particular sponsor; and distributed to thebilling and administration component of the Business Logic that ishandled by the existing server and not by the sponsor's serverenvironment.

Once the user makes a purchase, the program may display a prompt toreturn the user to the thematic environment at the point at which it wasleft. The user enters the information via the GUI that gets stored inthe Business Logic. Thus, the user may click on the return prompt thatforwards an instruction to the Graphics library to return to theprevious state.

All security for purchase, rewards, points, and profile is maintained inthe Communications component. As purchases are made, points areaccumulated or rewards are awareded (i.e., coupons, etc.). The securitysystem program is constantly maintaining the state of the user checkingfor any hackers, corruption of data, sabotage, or modification of data.

In addition, the program may be tracking the avatar's movementthroughout the thematic environment in order to trigger a simulatedaward mechanism as the avatar moves in a predetermined direction. Theaward mechanism may be points to be awarded to the user based upon apredetermined calculation scheme. In order to obtain the points, thesystem will send a request to the Thematic Application logic via an APIand to the AI Engine to determine an outcome. The AI Engine thentransfers the information to the Business Logic engine via an API forcalculation of the points and will submit that information back throughthe APIs to the GUI for display.

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the user may bewithin the thematic environment, and the program may ask the user to“grab” an item from a sponsor's website (or from a competitor in gameplay) for use within the thematic environment. The program will instructthe user to connect to the worldwide web (WWW) through another object orthrough specific sequences that are provided by the thematic applicationviewed on the screen, or in voice format. The program then willseamlessly connect the user to the WWW via a call that is directed fromthe thematic application or from a selected object within the thematicenvironment, to the sponsor's website. As stated above, the program mayalso provide the option of showing the sponsor's website on the displayscreen within the thematic environment.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the programmay provide information and instructions for the user to read while inthe thematic environment by means of the AI library located in theThematic/Publishing Logic 206 layer. The information from the AI libraryis sent to the Digital Content library 209, which interfaces with theQIE 211 for interpretation and display via an API 204. Then, the API 204sends or transmits the information to the GUI 200 which displays theinformation on the display via a standard communications and driversprotocol. The information displayed by the program may be read by theuser for later use in the thematic application for answering questionsto achieve points, for example.

The points may be calculated by the program through the Business Logic208 and the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 application. If points areobtained by the user, the points are calculated and held in the BusinessLogic 208 layer, and the data is shared with the user profile retainedby the user/sponsor specific database. The points information is alsotransmitted via an API 204 through the QIE 202 to the display such thatthe user can view the points. The display of the points may be shown ona PDA, or other small electronics device that is conventional orspecifically designed for this purpose.

In one example of this embodiment, the user reads the information and isprovided with an object for the user to “grab” using a “hot click” orother selection means at the sponsor's website or elsewhere, and thenreturn the user to the thematic environment for use of the object. Theobject may have certain characteristics that will be retained by theprogram, including all the meta data and any other data associated withthis object in the “grabbing” of the object. The Thematic/PublishingLogic 206 of the program is associated with the “grabbing” of theobject, and the Digital Content library 209 stores the information onthe object. To view the component and to use it, the graphics componentof the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 will interface with the DigitalContent library 209 to retrieve the object via an API 204 and pass it tothe QIE 202 via an API 204 to be rasterized or transferred to the GUI200 via another API.

In another example of this embodiment, the program may provideinformation to the user in the thematic environment to generate pointsby touching, rather than “grabbing” an object, by walking down thestreet, purchasing an item, using a mini-application, or any otheraction. The points may be “cashed in” by the user for real life rewards.The rewards are stored in the user/sponsor specific database. Theprogram, using the GUI 200 via the APIs 204 connected to the QIE 211,can display or list the rewards for the user to view at the end of thegame. The actual “cashing in” process may be handled through theaccounting function of the Business Logic 208.

As the avatar continues to move around the streets and stores of thethematic environment or at websites on the WWW, the GUI 200 transmitsthe data on the avatar's or user's movements to the Business Logic 208via the WWW, which sends data/information through the API 204 to theBusiness Intelligence tracking service 218 and tracks the information ina database in the Business Intelligence layer 218.

For example, the user may pass by a record store and hear music andwatch a video coming from the store. This audio and video is activatedby the movement of the avatar and the action of passing the store. Asthe avatar is passing the store, an instruction is sent by the GUI tothe Thematic application library to obtain the appropriate music piecefor that scene. The Thematic application library transmits the requestto the Digital Content or Sponsor components for the appropriate musicpiece and video component. The music is then transmitted via an API tothe GUI to transmit the sound via the speakers and the video componentinformation is transmitted to the screen display via the GUI. The usermay either save the data to disk to return to that point, connect to theinternet via standard communication channels, or log off. If the userdecides to save the data, the information will be maintained in the datastorage layer by the program. If the user decides to connect to theinternet the information that has been tracked for that particulargeographical area, for example, will be transferred and the profileinformation updated for that particular user by the program. Thisinformation will be transferred by the program via standardcommunications to the internet server and the program will update theBusiness logic.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the user may be in athematic environment on the internet that is based on the QIE technologyplatform. Since the QIE platform is device and resolution independent,it gives the thematic applications the ability to reformat orre-rasterize its output to any device. The device may be a cell phone,projector, large screen, small display, etc. This also allows the userto continue the thematic application at the point of last interaction.The user can continue the application from any location where there isaccess to the internet or to a QIE platform that ties into the thematicapplication.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, real-timeinformation can be integrated into the thematic environment. Forexample, the avatar/user in the thematic environment may view a screenthat has a real-time televised event on display, or may use amini-application, such as e-mail, which occurs in real time. Videotransmissions, and e-mail applications, etc., may be sponsored by acorporate sponsor, or may be provided by the thematic application.

The program obtains real time information through the WWW from thesatellite server service 216. For example, the server 205 will poll thesatellite service 216 for any new or updated information to any of thevideo, live sports, live concerts, or film that is being requested bythe QIE 211. The program is such that the QIE 211 will be continuouslyconnected to and requesting updates from the satellite service 216 viaan API which connects the QIE 211 to the satellite system service 216.

The request for real-time information, which will be recognized when theuser sees or “hot clicks” on a television screen, or invokes amini-application, such as e-mail, will be accomplished by the GUI 200that transmits the information to the graphics library of theThematic/Publishing Logic 206 via an API 204. The QIE 211 will in turnrequest information from the digital Thematic/Publishing Logic 206database via an API to retrieve the existing video or short film etc. Ifthe QIE 211 requires data that is larger than a specific size, or thetime has expired for running real-time information, the program (via theQIE 211) will send a request to the satellite system 216 for the new orupdated information. The new or updated information may be inputted as apure satellite transmission tied directly to the particular screen ordisplay that needs the information.

If the transmission is live data, the program will have the satellitetransmission expire upon the completion of being televised on thedisplay in the thematic environment. A message from the satellite system218 will transmit the information back to the QIE 211 that thetransmission is complete and the QIE 211 will submit a command ormessage to go to the Digital Content Library or sponsor library forstored data, information, video, or film that may be shown on thedisplay in the thematic environment. Once the command has been acceptedby the Digital Content Library to update the display, the DigitalContent Library will transfer the content to the graphics engine via anAPI for processing and then will pass the content to the QIE forprocessing, formatting, or rasterization. Upon completion, the programwill show a video or film clip in place of the live satellitetransmission. This can take the form of music, sports, film, etc.

In a first example of the above real-time application, the user may bewithin a thematic environment, and may direct an avatar to a pub in alarge city. The program would present an image of the pub on the screenusing the GUI 200 via the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206. The user maythen direct the avatar to enter the pub. The display will show the usera pub environment with a large digital screen in the pub, where a videoof a musician or a band is playing, or a game is being broadcast, or afilm is being shown, or some other type of video, whether live, storedvideo data, or simulated.

If the pub screen is “sponsored” by a corporate sponsor, for example,depending on the “sponsorship” or the contractual agreement, when theavatar is inside the pub or within vicinity of the screen, a call forthat specific sponsor's updated information will be made from the GUI200 via an API to obtain the information from graphics library of theThematic/Publishing Logic 206. As stated above, the program will then“pull down” or obtain the particular information that should be viewedon the screen—i.e., music video, direct satellite transmission of asports event, film clip, movie, etc.

If new or updated information is requested by the QIE 202, thisinformation may be received by the program as a pure satellitetransmission tied directly to that particular screen in the pub, thatneeds the information. In this case, where the information is live data,the transmission will expire upon the completion of being televised.After live transmission has ended, the program will retrieve storeddata, information, video, or film etc., from the Digital Content Libraryor sponsor library, and show this information on the screen. The videotransmission will be displayed only as long as the user is in thevicinity of the screen, otherwise, this application will not be sent tothe display for viewing.

In a second example, the user may enter the thematic environment andchoose a geographical “zone” such as a particular country and city. Uponthe user's choice, the program will connect to the Www via standardinternet connections or communications. The user may then enter a“headquarters” environment that displays content for that particularcity. The content could be shown by the program in the form of 2D—i.e.,photographs, 3D images or a combination thereof. The program will alsoshow a very large digital screen in the center of the user's display. Inthis case, the screen is not “sponsored”, and thus, is available and“programmed” to accept any type of live video, film, real life sportsevents, or any other type of satellite transmission, etc. However, thescreen may have channels associated with it that are sponsored;therefore, the transmission, video, film, satellite, sports, music etc.may be programmed to that specific sponsor. In addition, productplacement can be integrated into the real-time transmissions (i.e.,advertisements etc.).

As with the first example, the program is such that the GUI 200 isconnected using standard network connections to the internet via the QIE202. The user may input a request via the GUI 200 for a particular typeof transmitted data to be shown in the screen, and the graphics engineof the GUI 200 will request from the QIE 202 a location for the data.The QIE 202 will in turn request information from the ThematicPublishing Logic, and/or Digital content library or may also requestinformation in the Data Storage area located in the Business Logic viaan API, requesting input to retrieve the existing video or short filmetc. If the QIE 211 does not find existing data, live data, or the datafiles are larger than a specific size, or the time has expired forrunning real-time information, the program (via the QIE 211) will send arequest to the satellite system 218 for the new or updated informationfor display back to the QIE 202, then to the GUI 200, which places it onthe display.

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, there may be abutton or channel button on the bottom of the screen in the thematicapplication, which allows the user to change the “channel” to adifferent selection—i.e., a sporting event, movie, film, or concert—orback to the thematic application menu screen. This button will belimited to the number of selections based on sponsorship, for example,and based on the thematic application. Upon the user selecting thebutton or “clicking” on the button by any selection means, the programwill display on the screen, one or a number of channels, for the user'sselection. The user may then choose a particular channel and the programwill transmit this information through the GUI 200 via standard internetconnections for the QIE 211 to begin the search process once again forthe requested data either through satellite transmission or through theBusiness Logic 103 that ties directly to the Data Storage 106.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a real-timeapplication would be presenting a clock or other timer within thethematic application. Thus, the program would provide the user with asection in the thematic application that shows time. The clockinformation is tied to the user's system and operating system. If theuser selects a particular country and city within the thematicapplication, the clock will display the information that is specific tothat time zone via standard communications with the internal operatingsystem. If the user selects a different country, the clock will displayboth the existing timezone from the internal clock and will forwardinformation to the GUI 200, and will also, through standard internetconnections, request information regarding the country specific timezonethat is selected. The request is made to the server 205 and from the QIE211 to obtain the clock information. The QIE 211 will then put in arequest to the Business Logic 208 for the updated information and passit back to the QIE 211 for interpretation or rasterization to aparticular display or device and to the programmed or displayed 2D/3Dobject, image or “clock”.

In another example of real-time applications, the program may alsoprovide captions on the television screen within the thematicenvironment, that would translate the language of the program, forexample, from Italian, into English. The information on the screen istransmitted via the WWW through a communication portal that sends theinformation directly to the satellite service 218 and the translationservice component 219 that services the Digital Content library 209. Tofurther this example, the information that is transmitted via the WWWroutes to the Translation service component 219, services both theDigital Content library 209 and the Business Logic 208. Thus,information in one language is simultaneously translated into anotherlanguage and displayed to the user.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the usermay be able to select audio channels (i.e., radio, talk radio, musicchannels etc.) to listen to while accessing and using the thematicapplication. The program would display a 2D or 3D interactive radio onthe screen which the user can activate using any selection means,including “clicking” on the radio. A list, menu, or a knob, for example,may be displayed to the user via the GUI 200, so that the user maychange channels on the “radio”. As with the video setup, the GUI 200connects to the internet via standard internet connections, and the QIE211 determines the location of the requested data. The QIE 211 passes onthe information to the Graphics engine via an API requesting input toretrieve existing audio files etc. The Graphics engine sends the requestto the QIE 211 to obtain the information located either in the BusinessLogic 208 for real world data, via an API, requesting input to retrievethe audio.

If the QIE 211 does not find existing data, live data, or the data filesare larger than a specific size, or the time has expired for runningreal-time information, the program (via the QIE 211) will send a requestto the satellite system 218 for the new or updated information fordisplay, back to the QIE 211, then to the GUI 200 and the speakers orother audio device to project the voice, music, etc. for the user tohear.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a GPSsystem 220 is integrated with the thematic application. In thisembodiment, the GPS system 220 may be integrated in stored form in adatabase which is updated by the satellite service 216, or the GPSsystem 220 may be connected to the thematic application via standardinternet connections, from which information is downloaded.

In this embodiment, the program is such that the GUI 200 is connectedusing standard network connections to the internet via the QIE 211. Theuser may input a request for location information via the GUI 200, andthe graphics engine of the GUI 200 will request a location for the datafrom the QIE 211. The QIE 211 will in turn request information from thegraphics library via an API requesting input to retrieve the existinglocation information etc. If the QIE 211 does not find existing data,live data, or the data files are larger than a specific size, or thetime has expired for obtaining real-time information, the program (viathe QIE 211) will send a request to the satellite system 218 for the newor updated information for display back to the QIE 211, then to the GUI200, which places the GPS information on the display.

The location information provided by the GPS component 220 may beincorporated into the thematic application itself, or provided within aprogrammed GPS-type display device that simulates a GPS system in thethematic application. The GPS images are stored in the ThematicApplication/Publishing Logic Libraries 203 in the sponsorship componentand the Thematic/Publishing Logic 206 interacts in conjunction with theDigital Content Library 209 for obtaining the location information.

The program allows the GPS system 220 to either view the content in mapmode, or actual 3D/Visual mode depending upon the preference of theuser. The program may provide the user with a display button as aselection means, for example, to select either the map information orthe visual information. Upon selecting the visual mode, for example, theGUI 200 connects to the internet via standard internet connections, andinterfaces with the QIE 211 for the determination of where to obtain thelocation data. The QIE 211 passes on the information request to theGraphics engine via an API, and the Graphic engine sends the request tothe QIE 211 to obtain the information located in the Digital ContentLibrary 209 for that particular area, building, etc. In the visual mode,the user also has the option of obtaining live information regardingeach building in the thematic application or elsewhere, including, forexample, a sponsored site. The GPS information may include at least adescription of the building, telephone number, and street address.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the usermay use a mini-application within the thematic environment, forcalculating, e-mailing, purchasing, educational, and other purposes. Theapplications may be either simulated or live, such as e-mail. Thesimulated applications are written in any of the following languages orprograms: C, C++, Java, PostScript, or other language which would allowthe development and viewing of a simulated but interactive applicationthat is viewed on a display.

In one example of the use of a mini-application, the user may decide touse either a thematic application that is viewed on the user's displayas part of game play, for example, or a current working application. Theuser may also “click” on a portion of the screen that will call up orbring into view, the selected simulated application, making itaccessible to the user. At this point, the AI library is activated andthe program will type the request or instructions with respect to themini-application, on the display to the user. The user then selects themini-application that is being highlighted, pointed to, etc. Themini-application information is then transmitted to the server throughthe GUI 200 and through normal communication channels (over theinternet, for example), activating the QIE 211 to forward or communicatethe information to the AI library for processing. The AI libraryprocesses the information and makes a request to the Thematic/Publishinglibrary and sponsor component to send the correct graphical display andinteractive mini-application in a format that the thematic applicationcan recognize for use therein. The program rasterizes and/or processesif necessary, the mini-application for use on the desired particulardisplay or device. This is performed by the passing of information,data, or the mini-application from the APIs that connect the QIE 202 tothe GUI 200. Any information that is created in the mini-application canbe stored in an area that holds information for a temporary period oftime in memory, or may be closed out and not saved.

In a second example of using a mini-application within a thematicapplication, the program may provide an instruction on the user'sdisplay, which may request that the user utilize a certainmini-application—for example, to continue to the next level in a gamingformat. The instructions are automatically programmed to appear on theuser's display based on the movement of the user/avatar within thethematic application (i.e., the user/avatar arriving at a particularsection of the street in a geographically-themed application). Inanother embodiment, instead of instructions that are displayed on theuser's display, other information relaying means, such as voicecommands, can be used. Thus, the written instructions and/or the voicecommands may be activated in the thematic application when theuser/avatar arrives at an area, or interacts with a certain device,which are programmed for the use of a particular mini-application.

As soon as the user/avatar approaches within the proximity of this“programmed” location within the thematic environment, the AI library isactivated via the information/data sent over normal communicationchannels to the server through the internet. The AI library requestsboth the voice library and the Digital Content Logic database to pull orobtain specific information that is viewed on the display by the user.The information is transmitted via an API to the QIE 211 for eitherrasterization or passing to the GUI 200 for viewing and voice.

The QIE 211 activates and passes on the information from the AI libraryto the appropriate component where the mini-application is located—suchas the sponsor component library located in the object server of theThematic/Publishing Logic layer 206. The Thematic/Publishing Logicsponsor component then displays the mini-application via the QIE 211 andthe GUI 200, such that the mini-application will be available forviewing etc. on the display, and available for use by the user.

Examples of mini-applications within a thematic environment include theactual use of email, chat, etc., that can be naturally integrated withthe thematic application. At any time, the user may select amini-application or part thereof, which can be interfaced with otherusers over standard network or internet connections. The selection ofsuch a mini-application may require interaction with the Business Logic208, and the program will allow the mini-application to be accessedwithin the thematic application by using standard communications andAPIs.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, thethematic application can be presented in a holographic environment. Inone example of a thematic application in a holographic environment, a“cinematic room” (see FIG. 6) can be provided, housing largenon-intelligent display screens or digital displays 500, plasma screens,LCD or intelligent screens/displays or the like, and chairs 501 or otherseated- or standing-accessible structures with embedded controllers 502.The chair, for example, provides the user with a comfortable environmentthat contains an area or enclosure for the head for connecting a headsetwith a voice recognition system 219 (i.e., microphone or speaker systemleading to the computer system 503), that allow for no interference. Thevoice recognition systems may be open and allow the users to conversewith each other. The computer system or film recorder projects imagesonto the display screen 500 and the images can be manipulated via theembedded controls 502 in the chair 501 or through the voice recognitionsystems located therein. The user may also experience the images in a 3Denvironment via the use of 3D goggles or other 3D devices. However, achair is not necessary, and other devices, such as handsets andheadsets, could contain the appropriate systems. Depending on the screenor display type, the configuration of the equipment may change to beappropriate to that structure.

In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, a screendisplay with no intelligence is used, and the thematic application isprojected from a projection system connected to a computer system (i.e.,in a client and/or server environment). In another embodiment, thedisplay is a smart digital display, and the thematic application isprojected directly from the smart digital display. In both embodiments,the controls for interacting with the screen or display are embeddedcontrollers (i.e., embedded in a chair arm), and may include a mouse,joystick, ball, pen, or any other user-controlled device that allows theuser to manipulate data or images on a very large screen. The embeddedcontroller contains the driver information or embedded QIE 211 software.The QIE 211 software will transmit the information via wirelesstechnology or cable. The system will be connected to a film recorder orcomputer either via wireless technology or through cable.

In the chair arm example, for instance, the user embedded controls 502are built directly into the chair arm having a mouse, joystick etc., andthe embedded controls are connected to an interface and standardcommunication device or connection that will connect back to the server205 and the GUI 200 of the thematic application platform. The smartscreen may have an internet connection component that is embeddedtherein, that allows it to act as simply a “dumb terminal”, with thestandard internet connections allowing the holographic thematicapplication system to maintain all data and processing on the serveritself, or the system may have a controller that incorporates the QIE211 and other programs that will allow for the connection via a standardcommunications device, to the internet, and which allows the system tointerpret information both at the display screen 500 and at the server205 via the GUI 200.

In another option, fold up screens are provided on the chairs, thescreens which are connected via a wireless or standard connection to thecontroller in the chair, and to the main computer system 503. The usermay flip up a screen to access an application such as e-mail, or totrack other thematic applications that are not on the screen, or perhapsto zoom in for a closer look at another thematic application that iscurrently on a larger screen within the cinematic room.

In one example of the use of a cinematic room, the room may be designedto contain as many as 50 or more users that will work together as a teamon the thematic application (i.e., game), or compete with other userswho may be located anywhere remotely around the world. Each of theembedded controllers 502 may also contain a chip that contains the QIE211, allowing the chip to communicate directly to the server 205forwarding commands to the GUI 200.

In one example, a large team of users may be working together or incompetition, and the connection from the chairs to the computer systemor server of the holographic thematic application may be via cable,standard communication networks, or through a wireless network. Thecomputer system may contain the entire thematic application platform andstorage information for the profiles that are being created for thelarge teams of users that connect to the thematic application server(which is perhaps located in a separate building). As the information isupdated and tracked by the program, the program may perform profileinformation updates on a local sever, and then after a set period oftime, the program may update the main server 205 via the GUI 200,transferring updates to the QIE 211 and then to the Business Logic 208.

Further, in the above example of a large team of users, the computersystem of the cinematic room of the present invention may also be set upto communicate directly through a standard internet connection to thehost server, where all the information on the profiles is stored on theserver itself and tracked via the Business Logic 208 and user database.In this example, the users log into the system and select the country ofgame or other play. The GUI 200 then transmits a request for informationthrough a standard internet connection to the server, to the QIE 211 andto an API connecting to the Digital Content library 209, for obtainingthe requested information. Once obtained, the information is sentthrough an API to the QIE 211 for interpretation and display, with theinformation being sent or transmitted via an API to the GUI 200 whichdisplays, via a standard communications and drivers protocol, on thedisplay device.

In the example of the operation of the team of users, the user selectsthe thematic application desired, and the program may requestinformation on the number of active players in the thematic applicationat that particular location. As stated above, this information isdisplayed on the display screen via the GUI 200, which interacts withthe QIE 211 and Business Logic 208 via APIs. Each of the locationsaround the world where the users are located, will allow for the sameconfiguration.

The program may allow for up to at least ten (10) main users on a team,with the others being included in a support function in directing the 10main users in obtaining their mission in the game, for example. Eachgroup of main users will be able to select an avatar that is displayedon the screen. In order to select an avatar, the users are shown samplesand profiles of different avatars.

Each user may be able to communicate via headsets, for example, or maybe able to email/chat directly to their team mates. The email and chatapplications are servicing the platform via the WWW which is connectedto the Thematic/Publishing application server and Business Logic 208.The users will be able to see other players that interact with theirthematic environment, on the display, via the connection of the QIE 211and a multiplayer communications application that is licensed from anopen source or standard application vendor. Each of the groups of userswill be able to interact through the QIE 211 that will direct the flowof information to the multiplayer network software and back to the QIE211 for instruction that will be delivered to the Thematic/PublishingLogic 206, Business Logic 208, GUI 200, Digital Content Library 209, andany of the services such as translation, satellite, voice, businessintelligence, GPS, smell etc.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, theholographic thematic application platform may be provided in a warehouseenvironment. The holographic and/or thematic application warehouse 600would be rented by users on a time basis, for example. The warehouserooms 601 may be set up in a maze design, and the number of rooms aredependent on the size of the warehouse. There may be a minimumrequirement of, for example, three rooms, based on the particularthematic application.

In each room 601 of the warehouse, there will be several projectionsystems 602 for the visualization and maneuvering of holograms. Eachroom 601 may contain sensors connected to embedded controllers 603located in the walls and floors, for example, that sense touch andmovement. The controllers are programmed to connect to the main computersystem 604 that may be located on the premises or offsite. The sensorsare designed to transmit information to the main system following theuser's response (i.e., voice activated response), touch, or movementthrough the rooms. As the user touches the walls or moves through therooms, the program makes the walls and floors change with the thematicapplication. In effect, the user becomes the avatar and can participatein a unique and real-world way, in the thematic application.

In an alternative embodiment, personal computers (PCs, PDA's or someequivalent device) are provided in the warehouse so that the users mayconnect to the internet or other applications while they walk throughthe digital or thematic warehouse. The PCs can be connected via wirelessor direct connection, cable or standard connections.

Depending on the geographic location or the thematic storyline, theprogram may incorporate “synthetic smells” with each room or change. A“smellerizer” 605 or other synthetic smell system can be connected tothe computer system 604 and the odor emitters connected to thesmellerizer 605 may be placed in the walls of the rooms 601 of thewarehouse. For example, the user may be walking through the warehouseroom 601 in a thematic application, viewing holographic projections of abakery, for example, and the program will issue a smell of baked goodsthrough the odor emitters of the smellerizer such that the user has a“real life” experience.

In other examples, an artificial weather system 606, such as thosecommonly used in movie-making, which can produce a fog, rain, or otherweather event, may be connected to the main computer system 604 usingstandard communications, with the weather system outlets being providedin the warehouse rooms 601. Therefore, if the user is in a thematicapplication, such as London in a pea soup fog, for example, the fog willbe released from the artificial weather system outlets within thewarehouse rooms, so that the user has a “real life” experience. Thecomputer system 604 can be programmed to change weather patterns basedon changes in the thematic application.

In addition to the artificial weather system 606 disposed in the walls,ceilings, or floors of the warehouse, speakers 607 are placed therein toissue sounds (i.e., music, weather, background etc.) to simulatereality. The sound system 607 may operate in conjunction with theartificial weather system 606, etc.

For the warehouse application example, a separate computer system 604 isneeded for the programming and maintenance of the sensors, weathersystem 606, synthetic smell system 605, holograms, and othertechnologies needed to maintain the thematic application system. Theuser will completely interact with a 2D/3D world, and experience a “reallife” immersion of the thematic application. The walls and floor and allof its components would act as the GUI. The warehouse holographicthematic application system may also contain the QIE environment forlocal storage, processing, and communication and also use mirror imagingtechnology to assist in the display of the 2D/3Dimages/video/text/graphics/etc. The system may be any size from a Gridtype system up to a supercomputer for calculating all the processes.Artificial intelligence algorithms and applications may also be used forthe processing and intelligence.

In operation of the warehouse example of the present invention, the userwould approach the warehouse, and log into the computer system 604, theprogram login would connect to the main computer system via the WWW, andto the server, for example, through standard communication technologyand applications. The connection is accomplished by the GUI transmittinginformation to the QIE via the standard internet communication channels,to update the Business Logic regarding the login. The user logging incould be either a registered individual or a newly registeredindividual. The main computer system 604 maintains the person's profileinformation, and the program will ask the user to select his/her persona(or profile). A selection of avatars and their profiles will begenerated on the display, screen or wall by the program for the user toselect from. This is generated by the GUI connecting to the QIE fordata. The QIE makes a request to the Thematic Application/PublishingLogic for the appropriate information that is transferred back via theQIE to re-rasterize or process for its appearance on the display. Thisinformation could be a set of buildings, a street, a store, museum,historic site, etc. It also will display all sponsor based advertising,videos, movies, or any other information provided by the sponsorcomponent. The program passes the information back to the GUI and isdisplayed with the correct attributes for that wall, screen, display.

Once the object or avatar has been selected by the user, the programstores this information in the main computer system 604 to update theinternet thematic application play at the main computer system 604. Themain computer system 604 is tied to all systems internationally via themulti-player communication application/server/etc.

Depending on the system set up (i.e., screens, weather system etc.), theGUI will be transmitting information to the server and the QIE, byconnecting through specific APIs. The QIE processes the information todetermine the type of device and may re-rasterize the information toformat to the particular device and screen size.

In a geographic thematic application, the program may provide the userwith a selection of countries before entry into the rooms 601 of thewarehouse 600. Each room 601 of the warehouse 600 is programmed tocontinue the exploration of the thematic applications that are locatedon the main thematic application system server, for example, that isaccessible via the internet.

Upon the completion of the login, the program may ask the user toproceed either by voice command generated by the computer system, or viaa display on the display screen. The voice is transmitted throughspeakers that are connected to the computer system.

If voice is chosen, then the user can use voice commands to guide theobject/avatar through the thematic environment (warehouse or on computersystem), such as streets, stores, etc., and to communicate with otheravatars or NPCs in the thematic environment. The voice process isinitiated via a microphone or some type of device that will accept voicedata and transmit the voice through the GUI and through normalcommunications channels via the internet to the voice recognitionservice. The information is processed and passed through the QIE fordirection to the Thematic Publishing Logic to activate one of thelibraries based on the command given. For example, if the commandinvolves a physical action, such as making the avatar jump, the physicslibrary, which handles physical rules, is activated. If the instructionsare to “take a left”, the graphics library is activated. The informationis then passed back to the QIE via APIs and is passed to the GUI fordisplay on the screen.

The user may then proceed to follow the program's directions for entryinto the warehouse by walking on a “boardwalk” or following a path to adoorway, for example. The user may open the door and a hologram of aperson may appear, greeting the user, for example. The hologram isgenerated by a projector that is connected to the main computer system604 in the warehouse. The hologram is programmed to appear based on themovement/touch/voice/data entry of the user.

Thus, in the warehouse application, the user may enter the warehouse inorder to have a “real life” experience, such as becoming a part of ageographical scene, by acting as an object or avatar in a thematicdigital application. As the user walks through the warehouse, thesensors disposed in the floors, etc., follow the user's footsteps. Thesensors are controllers containing the necessary chipsets and softwareto monitor movement, and they track the user's steps, sending theinformation to the QIE for processing. The sensors are connected to themain computer system 604 via standard communication cables and/ordevices and communication software and will transfer the information tothe main computer system 604 by submitting the information through anAPI connected to the QIE.

The QIE will take the information that is being tracked and transferredand determine if it needs to go to the Thematic/Publishing Logic, theBusiness Logic, the Digital Content, or all of the above. In this case,the QIE will transfer the information to both the Thematic/PublishingLogic and the Business Logic for processing. The Thematic/PublishingLogic will determine which library will be used for processing—Graphics,AI, Physics, Music, Video, Voice, etc.—or if there will be calls uponthe Digital Content Library for the information stored in its database.In this example, the Thematic/Publishing Logic and its libraries willwork simultaneously with the Digital Content logic databases to call onthe appropriate information or data.

While this is occurring, an additional process is being managed, bysending the data to the business intelligence service engine that isservicing and monitoring the QIE for constant updates of information forstorage, retrieval, report generation, etc. These operations occur inevery thematic application, not just the holographic thematicapplications. The data collected, which is useful for the sponsor of anypart of the thematic application, will be sent via standard APIs to anintranet site and stored. This data is accessible only if the sponsorhas the appropriate login and password to retrieve the information.

In the example of the warehouse holographic environment, the user/avatarmay address a NPC in the thematic environment. The NPC could be ahologram generated by the footsteps, voice or position of the avatar inthe thematic environment. In the background, music particular to theenvironment (i.e., location, city, country etc.) may be playing. Themusic is activated based on the thematic application storyline that istied to specific display content or activated by the avatar/user. Themusic is obtained by a request made by the GUI for information/data fromthe QIE to locate a music piece that either has been stored in theDigital Content database or can be accessed via the satellite servicesystem.

The voice is generated by the GUI which requests the appropriateinformation via an API to the AI library and to the voice libraries forboth movement, high level action, and the processing of the voice data.The voice library will then transmit this information in some type ofrecognized data form back through a standard communication device andoutput to the speakers or other device and the movement will bedisplayed on the screen via the GUI.

As the avatar is moving around the streets and stores in the holographicenvironment, an information request is made by the sensor controllersconnected via cable or standard communication devices/application to themain computer system, to the GUI, which transmits the data to theBusiness logic via the WWW. The data/information is sent back to theclient system through the API, to the Business Intelligence trackingservice, which tracks the information in a database in the BusinessIntelligence layer.

If the user/avatar touches a bag of coffee beans, it will take the userto the sponsor website. This information is transmitted through thecommunication channel and connects to an API that activates the sponsorlibrary located in the Thematic/Publishing logic. The information isprocessed and passed back by the program through the QIE for processingor re-rasterization depending upon the device.

To further the example, the user/avatar may view a display screen withinthe thematic environment that shows a game in progress, for example,being televised from a foreign country. The program will show captionson the screen that translate the broadcast language from one language toanother. Again, the movement of the avatar is generated by the GUItransmitting data through a standard communications pipe to the server.The data is transmitted to the QIE, which processes the information andsends the information to the appropriate library for processing. In thiscase it is the Thematic Application layer and within this layer theGraphics application library connected to the QIE via APIs. Theinformation on the screen is transmitted via the WWW through acommunication portal that sends the information directly to theSatellite service component that services the Digital content library.To further the example with respect to the translation mechanism, theinformation is transmitted via the WWW and routes to the Translationservice component that services both the Digital content library and theBusiness Logic.

In another embodiment of the holographic system consistent with thepresent invention, the system may use holographic technology in a“globe” type of screen or terminal. A user would be able to alter ormanipulate the holograms by touching the globe, and thereby change theholograms, despite where the globe is touched.

For example, the user may select an option in the globe to display acertain DNA sampling. The user may touch the globe to pull out a levelof the DNA—therefore, the sampling will automatically change. The globemay also be designed for 3D simulation and may be used to move objects,to display and manipulate the objects within the globe as a terminal.

In another example of the holographic environment, one application isplaying chess with holographically projected chess pieces in the digitalwarehouse. The user could move the chess pieces/players and competeagainst another person in the digital warehouse. In order for this tooccur, there would be a board or large ½ inch type of flooring that israised above the floor. To activate the full sized chess match, the userwould select the chess game as they are walking by that area eitherthrough a voice command, selection of a menu item, or by stepping on theboard and activating the sensor in the controller to allow forholographic chess players to appear. The user may then use voiceactivation to move his/her objects. The chess game would appear usingholographic technology. If the chess game is in an enclosed “globe” likea PC, the holograms would be manipulated by the touching of the screenand the objects.

In all the above types of applications, a sponsor can place his productwithin the thematic application for advertisement and access by a userof the thematic application. Specifically, the sponsor is provided witha login and password by the licensor of the thematic application, andthe licensor can manage the processes, generate logins and passwords,manage the security of the system, update the system, and manage theoverall maintenance. These operations are all performed by the licensorthrough a menu generated by the program on the screen or display via theGUI. The GUI then transmits the information to the appropriate operatingsystem, software, and hardware environments. This data is stored in theBusiness Intelligence component of the QIE in the sponsors' library. Theinformation is ready to be accessed either in a screen display format orin a report form.

Once the sponsor logs into the thematic application system, the sponsorcan decide if they wish to receive a printed report or a report that isdisplayed on the screen. Depending upon what the sponsor selects, theinformation will be send through standard internet connections to theQIE and to the Business Logic and then to the Business Intelligenceservice for processing.

If the program is instructed to display to the screen, the informationwill be passed through the QIE for processing to that particular displayscreen and sent to the GUI for actual display.

If the information is to be printed, the information will be processedfrom the Business Logic connecting to the Business Intelligence service,and a printed report is requested by the program. The BusinessIntelligence service may send the information directly to the GUI andthe drivers for a particular device that will be displayed on the screenfor printing. The user now has the option of selecting the appropriateprint engine and may print to that device. The information displayed orprinted is constantly being updated in “real time”.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of theinvention are merely possible examples of implementations set forth fora clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of theinvention without departing from the spirit and principles of theinvention. All such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded herein within the scope of the invention and protected by thefollowing claims.

1. A method of integrating holographic images into a virtual thematicenvironment using a computerized system, comprising: generating imagesof a virtual thematic environment using a computer system; projectingsaid images as holographic projections from said computer system ontodisplay screens, using a holographic projection system; and receivinginput from a direct interaction with one of said holographic projectionswithin said virtual thematic environment, said direct interactioninitiates sensor controllers to make a change from said virtual thematicenvironment to another virtual thematic environment or to a website. 2.The method according to claim 1, further comprising: integrating audioand video into said holographic projections.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising: integrating real-time information into saidvirtual thematic environment.
 4. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: tracking a location of a user within saidholographically projected virtual thematic environment.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein said tracking is performed by a GPSsystem.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:integrating at least one of a voice recognition system, a syntheticsmell system, a weather system, and a GPS system into saidholographically projected virtual thematic environment.
 7. A computersystem having a program for integrating holographic images into avirtual thematic environment comprising: means for generating images ofdisplaying a virtual thematic environment using a computer system; aholographic projection system which projects said images as holographicprojections from said computer system onto display screens; and meansfor receiving a direct interaction with one of said holographicprojections within said virtual thematic environment, said directinteraction initiates sensor controllers to make a change from saidvirtual thematic environment to another virtual thematic environment orto a website.
 8. A computer system for integrating holographic imagesinto a virtual thematic environment, comprising: at least one memoryhaving at least one program comprising the steps of: generating imagesof a virtual thematic environment using a computer system; projectingsaid images as holographic projections from said computer system ontodisplay screens, using a holographic projection system; and receivinginput from a direct interaction with one of said holographic projectionswithin said virtual thematic environment, said direct interactioninitiates sensor controllers to make a change from said virtual thematicenvironment to another virtual thematic environment or to a website; andat least one processor for running the program.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein at least one of audio, video, a voicerecognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weather system, and aGPS system are integrated into said holographically projected virtualthematic environment.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, furthercomprising: a control system accessed by a user to control saidholographically projected images within the virtual thematicenvironment.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein saidprojection system projects said holographic images in 3D.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a plurality ofsensors to track movement of a user within the virtual thematicenvironment.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein real-timeinformation is integrated into the virtual thematic environment.
 14. Theapparatus according to claim 13, wherein said real-time information isdownloaded from one of cable and satellite.
 15. The apparatus accordingto claim 14, wherein said real-time information is automaticallydownloaded based on actions of a user within the holographicallyprojected virtual thematic environment.
 16. The apparatus according toclaim 14, wherein a user is provided with objects within theholographically projected virtual thematic environment that operate inreal-time with real-time information.
 17. The apparatus according toclaim 14, wherein a user is provided with mini-applications within theholographically projected virtual thematic environment which operate inreal-time with real-time information.
 18. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system tointegrate holographic images into a virtual thematic environment, thecomputer system having a program which executes the steps of: generatingimages of a virtual thematic environment using a computer system;projecting said images as holographic projections from said computersystem onto display screens, using a holographic projection system; andreceiving input from a direct interaction with one of said holographicprojections within said virtual thematic environment, said directinteraction initiates sensor controllers to make a change from saidvirtual thematic environment to another virtual thematic environment orto a website.
 19. An apparatus for providing holographic images into avirtual thematic environment, comprising: a computer system whichgenerates images from a virtual thematic environment and projects themas holographic projections, said computer system having a memory and aprocessor including: at least one thematic/publishing logic module whichcontains virtual thematic environment rules; at least one digitalcontent library module which provides content management on the virtualthematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE)module which interprets content such that said content is manipulatedand accessed by any device; a holographic projection system whichprojects said holographic projections on display screens; and at leastone of a synthetic smell system, and a weather system, which is usedwith at least one of said holographic projection system or said computersystem; wherein a direct interaction by a user with one of saidholographic projections is tracked by sensors, and said directinteraction initiates a change from said virtual thematic environment toanother virtual thematic environment or to a website.
 20. The systemaccording to claim 19, wherein said computer system obtains and displayscontent information in real-time.
 21. The system according to claim 19,wherein a plurality of control panels are connected to said computersystem over the internet.
 22. An apparatus for providing holographicimages into a virtual thematic environment, comprising: a roomcontaining a plurality of display screens; a computer system whichgenerates images from a virtual thematic environment and projects themas holographic projections, said computer system having memory and aprocessor including: at least one thematic/publishing logic module whichcontains virtual thematic environment rules; at least one digitalcontent library module which provides content management on the virtualthematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE)module which interprets content such that said content is manipulatedand accessed by any device; a holographic projection system whichprojects said holographic projections on said display screens; and auser-accessible control panel embedded within a chair, which providesaccess to said computer system to control said virtual thematicenvironment; wherein a direct interaction by a user with one of saidholographic projections is tracked by sensors, and said directinteraction initiates a change from said virtual thematic environment toanother virtual thematic environment or to a website; wherein saiddisplay screens are connected to said control panel.
 23. The systemaccording to claim 22, further comprising at least one of audio, video,and a voice recognition system.
 24. The system according to claim 22,wherein the virtual thematic application includes real-time content. 25.An apparatus for providing holographic images into a virtual thematicenvironment, comprising: a room containing a plurality of sensors for atleast tracking movement of a user through said room; a computer systemwhich generates images from a virtual thematic environment and projectsthem as holographic projections, said computer system having a memoryand a processor including: at least one thematic/publishing logic modulewhich contains virtual thematic environment rules; at least one digitalcontent library module which provides content management on the virtualthematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE)module which interprets content such that said content is manipulatedand accessed by any device; and a holographic projection system whichprojects said holographic projections of the virtual thematicenvironment in said room; wherein a direct interaction by said user withone of said holographic projections during said movement of said userthrough said room, is tracked by said sensors, and said directinteraction initiates a change from said virtual thematic environment toanother virtual thematic environment or to a website.
 26. The systemaccording to claim 25, further comprising at least one of audio, video,a voice recognition system, a synthetic smell system, a weather system,and a GPS system.
 27. The system according to claim 25, wherein saidroom is in a warehouse.
 28. The system according to claim 25, furthercomprising a computer system disposed within at least one room such thatthe user may at least one of perform other application and connect to anetwork.
 29. The system according to claim 25, wherein the virtualthematic environment includes real-time content.